Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists discussion
2023 Archived Challenges
>
2023 The Lost Challenges
January Scavenger Challenge - Ice Cream
READ: 42/50
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson 1/1
5. Caramel - to form delicate, intricate seahorse art of caramel, p171
8. Chocolate - while Annie tacked the chocolate coins, p172
20. Honey - only if you nab the honey too, p9
The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
26. Layers - probably rotting off a couple layers of enamel, p147
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti 1/5
7. Children - a lot of children had pink boots, p33
21. Ice cream - the ice cream shop took up the center, p20
45. Toppings - ladled chili into ceramic bowls. Toppings?, p35
49. Yogurt - this was the first time she'd ordered a yogurt, p128
Fatal Catch - Pauline Rowson 1/6
16. Freezer - not to mention freezers, p48
Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
22. Indulgence - to find out about my little indulgence, p188
37. Rocky road - we also bought ice cream, rocky road, p239
39. Scoops - she scoops them up in a kleenex, p72
Children - Bjørn Larssen 1/8
2. Banana - and leave with enough pears, peaches, nuts, bananas and cherries, p80
6. Cherries - and leave with enough pears, peaches, nuts, bananas and cherries, p80
33. Nuts - and leave with enough pears, peaches, nuts, bananas and cherries, p80
44. Taste - I didn't know death had a taste, p57
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
35. Peanuts - sell a sentimental charm bracelet for peanuts, p62
The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
11. Delicious - all he remembers is the delicious feeling, p150
13. Dish - he wsa ready to serve up a new dish, p32
Forging Silver into Stars - Brigid Kemmerer 1/11
23. Ingredients - we can't afford to waste ingredients, p37
25. Kinds - perfect to hold all kinds of competitions, p69
The Corpse in the Cabana - Shéa MacLeod 1/12
31. Mint - the skirt of my mint green sundress, p15
Shattered Souls - Delilah Devlin 1/13
9. Cone - the smoke from the small cone, p129
28. Make - couldn't make out much, p151
The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
3. Bowl - held a cowl carved of abalone shell, p73
12. Dessert - at the sight of dessert, p234
The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 1/15
1. Add - he'd add to it every time, p272
17. Fruit - almost like rotten fruit, p145
27. Lemon - smell of rubbing alcohol and fake lemon, p66
46. Treat - a tasty treat for the skip tracers, p179
47. Vanilla - almost as sweet as the vanilla air freshener, p79
Scottish Werebear: Books 1-3 - Lorelei Moone 1/17
19. Homemade - the largely homemade offerings at Rannoch, p88
43. Strawberry - long strawberry blond hair blew in the wind, p82
White is the Coldest Colour - John Nicholl 1/18
41. Sherbet - a paper back of sherbet lemon, p67
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
50. Yummy - and that sounds yummy, p195
Live To Tell - Lisa Gardner 1/20
15. Flavor - what flavor would you like, p232
18. Gelato - vanilla bean gelato, p340
38. Sauce - covered it with red sauce, p35
Lavender House - Lev A.C. Rosen 1/21
14. Extras - we keep extras for when Henry was single, p37
40. Shakes - which she shakes with a smile, p157
The One You Love - Paul Pilkington 1/29
32. Nibbles - offering plates of nibbles, p161
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn 1/30
30. Marshmallow - perhaps we can get some more marshmallows, p293
**************************************
4. Butterscotch
10. Dairy
24. Jimmies
29. Maraschino
34. Parfait
36. Pineapple
42. Sprinkles
48. Whipped cream
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1933Duration: February 1 - April 30, 2023
Level: Nostalgia: 11-15 tasks
READ: 15/15
✔ 1. Films
King Kong
The Invisible Man
Dinner at 8
42nd Street
Little Women
✴️ Read a book tagged adventure, children's, classic, drama, fantasy, family, humor, horror, monster, music, or science fiction.
Saber Tooth - Lou Cadle 3/4
✔ 2. New Releases
Edgar Rice Burroughs – Tarzan and the City of Gold
Agatha Christie – The Hound of Death and Other Stories
Erle Stanley Gardner – The Case of the Sulky Girl
James Hilton – Lost Horizon
✴️ Read a book with a two word title, five word title, six word title, seven word title OR a new release.
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
✔ 3. Births
Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elizabeth Montgomery, Willie Nelson, James Brown
✴️ Read a book whose author's first or last name begins with B, C, E, G, J, M, N, R, T or W.
Wind Daughter - Joanna Ruth Meyer 2/19
✔ 4. Deaths
January 5 – Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States
April 15 - Mary Isabella Macleod, North American pioneer
May 26 – Jimmie Rodgers, American country singer
December 16 – Robert W. Chambers, American writer
✴️ Read a book published in January, April, May or December. Tell us the month.
Saved by a Dragon - Lauren Lively (pub May 15, 2017) 2/24
✔ 5. U.S. Population - 125.6 million
✴️ Read a book that has a 1, 2, 5 or 6 in the publication year. Tell us the year.
Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa (pub Nov 15, 2016) 2/11
✔ 6. New Things
Spic and Span
Budweiser Clydesdales
V8
Swizzle Sticks
Miracle Whip
Windex
Dreft Laundry Detergent for babies
FM Radio
✴️ Read a book where a character mops a floor, sees a horse, drinks vegetable juice, stirs a drink, makes a sandwich, cleans a window, washes clothing or listens to the radio. Tell us which option.
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor (sees a horse) 2/28
IN THE NEWS
✔ 7. January 5
Construction begins on the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, California.
✴️ Read a book with a bridge on the cover OR set in California.
Dark Sentinel - Christine Feehan 2/8
✔ 8. January 30
National Socialist German Workers Party leader Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg.
✴️ Read a book with a villain OR where a character is appointed to do a job.
Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton 2/21
✔ 9. February 10
The New York City-based Postal Telegraph Company introduces the first singing telegram.
✴️ Read a book set in New York City OR where a character sings.
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery 2/19
✔ 10. February 17
The magazine News-Week is published for the first time in New York. Journalist Samuel T. Williamson served as the first editor-in-chief. Seven photographs from the week's news were printed on the first issue's cover.
✴️ Read a book where a character is a journalist OR whose cover shows a photo OR a Series #7.
Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor 2/22
(Chronicles of St Mary's #7)
✔ 11. March 7
The real-estate trading board game Monopoly is invented in the United States.
✴️ Read a book whose title begins with M OR set in New Jersey.
Murder at St Margaret - Lynn Morrison 2/15
✔ 12. May 2
The first alleged modern sighting of the Loch Ness Monster occurs.
✴️ Read a book set on a lake OR with a monster in the story OR where a character sees something another does not.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
(a huge sea monster that destroys ships)
✔ 13. June 6
The first drive-in movie theater opens in Pennsauken Township, near Camden, New Jersey.
✴️ Read a book where a character goes to the drive-in OR a book from a list that contains the words: Drive, Screen, Film, Movie (plurals allowed). Tell us the name of the list.
Daughter of the Pirate King - Tricia Levenseller (#423) 4/7
List: Books Worthy Of The Big Screen
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
✔ 14. September 12
Leó Szilárd, waiting for a red light on Southampton Row in Bloomsbury, conceives the idea of the nuclear chain reaction.
✴️ Read a book where a character waits at a red light OR where the MC's first name begins with L or last name begins with S.
Candy Corn Murder - Leslie Meier )Lucy Stone) 2/9
✔ 15. December 15
The 21st Amendment officially goes into effect, making alcohol legal in the United States.
✴️ Read a book where a character drinks alcohol OR set in the US.
The Avid Angler: The Hot Dog Detective - Mathiya Adams (Colorado) 2/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Scavenger Challenge - Bartender
READ: 46/50
That Ain’t Witchcraft - Seanan McGuire 2/4
1. Adult - as an adult is unfair and unreasonable, p39
42. Sour - Cylia made a sour face, p250
44. Syrup - with the maple syrup and the handcuffs, p307
Shattered at Sea - Cheryl Hollon 2/4
3. Bar - they passed by the small bar, p127
4. Beer - to cause the beer to slosh over, p127
7. Blend - it manages to blend perfectly, p99
8. Bottle - two wine bottles were open, p163
9. Busy - a harried server kept busy, p196
11. Cocktails - the waiter finished serving their cocktails, p212
17. Flavor - to achieve the pinnacle of flavor, p201
18. Free - why didn't you tell me Edward was free, p92
21. Hotel - at the swanky Vinoy hotel, p236
23. Ice - where's the ice, p22
25. Juice - the orange juice was freshly squeezed, p191
27. Liquor - there was a long list of liquor charges, p222
30. Olive - at least two olive oil bottles, p186
40. Server - Edward flagged down a server, p231
46. Virgin - it was named after a virgin shepherdess, p228
Better Late Than Never - Jenn McKinlay 2/5
15. Drink - while he took a long drink, p63
16. Fizz - sorry didn't mean to get you in a fizz, p51
36. Regulars - most of the regulars had gone home, p42
49. Wine - and poured a glass of wine for Lindsay, p63
Darkness, My Old Friend - Lisa Unger 2/6
2. Alcohol - you might have a problem with alcohol, p37
Three Parts Dead - Max Gladstone 2/8
22. Hours - would have felt like hours, p32
34. Price - but we can't spare the price, p11
47. Whiskey - the whiskey in his glass, p11
Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery 2/10
12. Conversation - did her best to shake off the conversation with Matt, p44
Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
41. Soda - before I begin drinking my soda, p95
43. Spoon - the spoon soars back across the room, p132
48. White - my knuckles go white, p87
Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker 2/12
24. Job - the cobra's job was to wait, p630
The Pearl Savage - Tamara Rose Blodgett 2/13
26. Legal - the age of legal consent, p85
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
14. Crowd - but she hated performing for crowds, p8
Buffalo Jump Blues - Keith McCafferty 2/16
6. Black - not calling the kettle black, p204
The Last Beekeeper - Rebecca L. Fearnley 2/17
10. Chaser - to fulfill his duty as dedicated chaser, p452
Wind Daughter - Joanna Ruth Meyer 2/19
38. Salt - I look at him through salt blurred eyes, p246
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery 2/19
28. Mix - how to mix the perfect martini, p130
37. Restaurant - where the restaurant section begins, p16
50. Work - its just this is work, p184
The Cure for What Ales You - Ellie Alexander 2/23
13. Cooler - you can wait next to the water cooler, p162
Saved by a Dragon - Lauren Lively 2/24
35. Recipe - it's his grandmother's recipe, loc1715
Just in Time for a Highlander - Gwyn Cready 2/24
19. Glass - she hefted her glass in thanks, p58
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
20. Happy Hour - it was happy hour and Cork City, p244
32. Order - push those little numbers in the correct order, p78
33. Pour - pouring herself another shot of whiskey, p76
45. Tips -left you a good tip, did he, p165
************************
5. Bitters -
29. Muddler -
31. On the rocks -
39. Seltzer -
Green Is the WordDuration: March 1 - May 31, 2023
Level: Level 3: Green Light 15 or more Tasks
READ: 21/15+
1.Having a green thumb (American English) or green fingers (British English). To be passionate about or talented at gardening. The expression was popularized beginning in 1925 by a BBC gardening program
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the title starts with either B or C.
The Crossing - Kathryn Lasky 3/10
✔ 🟢 Read a book set in either America or England.
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton 3/7
2. Greenhorn. Someone who is inexperienced or a newbie.
✔ 🟢 Read a book with a character who is inexperienced. (Tell us whom).
Moment of Tooth - Lindsay Buroker (heroine) 3/12
✔ 🟢 Read a book with an author who is new to you.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in GREENHORN.
Nine Lives Last Forever - Rebecca M. Hale 3/15
3. Green-eyed monster refers to jealousy. The expression "green-eyed monster" was first used by William Shakespeare in Othello: "it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." Shakespeare also used it in the Merchant of Venice, speaking of "green-eyed jealousy".
✔ 🟢 Read a book with a character who is jealous.
Partners in Lime - Bree Baker (Grady) 3/23
5. Green room. A room at a theater where actors rest when not onstage, or a room at a television studio where guests wait before going on-camera. It originated in the late 17th century from a room of that color at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the MC is a guest somewhere.
The Protector - Elin Peer 3/30
(Christina (MC) is a guest in enemy territory)
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in THEATER ROYAL.
Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
6. Greenwashing. Environmental activists sometimes use this term to describe the advertising of a company which promotes its positive environmental practices to cover up its environmental destruction.
✔ 🟢 Read a book where a character advertises something.
Cross Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/20
(heroine owns a sporting goods store and advertises upcoming events)
✔ 🟢 Read a book where something is destroyed. (Tell us what).
And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor 3/24
(the pod hangar by bombs)
7. Green around the gills. A description of a person who looks physically ill.
✔ 🟢 Read a book with a green cover.
Berlin - Luke Richardson 4/12
✔ 🟢 Read a book with a character who is sick.
Grumpy Cowboy - Elana Johnson (hero's Mama has cancer) 3/29
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in GILLS.
The Iron Wyrm Affair - Lilith Saintcrow 5/23
8. Going green. An expression commonly used to refer to preserving the natural environment and participating in activities such as recycling materials.
✔ 🟢 Read a book that you have borrowed.
An Unthinkable Thing - Nicole Lundrigan 4/30
✔ 🟢 Read a book where something is recycled. (Tell us what).
Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
(MC uses scrap metal to create fantastic sculptures)
✔ 🟢 Read a book with the word green in the text.
The Book Supremacy - Kate Carlisle 3/11
(it was really, really green), p180
9 The grass is always greener on the other side. This is when individuals are never happy with what they have and they constantly ponder if others have it better.
(Give a partial sentence and page/loc #)
✔ 🟢 Read a book where a character is always wishing for something that they don't have.
Of Claws and Inferno - Kyoko M. 4/10
(egomaniac Kazuma Okegawa is always wishing for more power and money)
✔ 🟢 Read a book with grass on the cover. (Show cover.)
Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore - Nellie H. Steele 4/21
✔ 🟢 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in PONDER.
Hidden Blade - Pippa DaCosta 4/18
10. To give the green light. To give approval to proceed.
✔ 🟢Read a book that you approve of.
The Winter King - C.L. Wilson 4/23
✔ 🟢 Read a book where a character gives something to someone.
Sweet Wild of Mine - Laurel Kerr 3/9
(heroine gives hero her childhood book to alleviate stuttering)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Scavenger Challenge - Coffee
READ: 47/50
Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
3. Art - but they weren't art, p126
6. Bitter - brought the bitter taste of adrenalin, p104
12. Coffee - reached for a cup of coffee, p159
16. Cup - William put his cup down with a clink, p159
22. Flavor - the virtues of magical flavor enhancers, p114
33. Liquid - heavy liquid spilled out of an open wound, p125
45. Splash - and splashed water on her face, p96
The Laughing Policeman - Elizabeth J. Brown 4/3
2. Aroma - bringing with it the rich aroma of sandalwood, p244
21. Evening - lingered in the evening heat, p97
36. Mug - he reached for his mug and paused, p48
Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
25. Grind - another stimulating body grind, p226
Devil of a Chance - Ciara Graves 4/5
20. Espresso - jittery as if I'd downed a gallon of espresso, p34
Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
23. Foam - lined up in foam trays, p37
24. Fresh - she was fresh, p33
Of Claws and Inferno - Kyoko M. 4/10
1. Acid - it had residual deadly acids within the liquids it secreted, p271
15. Cream - she wore a cream suit, p55
34. Milk - no use crying over spilled milk, p31
39. Plunge/Plunger - with her finger on the plunger of the syringe, p283
Zar - Alana Khan 4/12
32. Joe - I may not have had my morning cuppa Joe, p18
The Hive Child - Rebecca L. Fearnley 4/15
27. Headaches - Taipan had such a headache this morning, p290
47. Sugar - from a chunk of sugar cane, p197
49. Warm - to warm some water, p92
The Rapids - Carla Neggers 4/15
31. Jitters - sure you don't have the jitters, p139
38. Perfect - it was a perfect spot to rejuvenate, p145
44. Smell - the smell alone was worth the price, p150
Midnight Crystal - Jayne Castle 4/16
11. Caffeine - bouts of edgy rest and a lot of caffeine, p17
28. Hot - his eyes burned with hot PSI, p100
35. Morning - I'm always gone by morning, p52
40. Pot - he finished filling the pot, p139
50. Water - an there will be water, p39
Burning Bright - Melissa McShane 4/18
42. Roasted - roasted meat and melted lacquer, p136
Consumed - J.R. Ward 4/20
26. Grounds - ono what grounds, p179
30. Irish - Danny's Irish eyes were not smiling, p4
46. Starbucks - I can't go to Starbucks on the way to work, p354
If Looks Could Chill - Nina Bruhns 4/22
7. Black - his black eyes glittering from the colorful lights, p30
17. Decaf - I hope this is decaf, p182
43. Sip - taking a sip from his own beer, p84
48. Taste - she could taste him, p51
Rebel - Cheryl Brooks 4/22
18. Drinking - drinking water was readily available, p79
The Winter King - C.L. Wilson 4/23
9. Bold - bursting with bold, hot pink blossoms, p20
29. Instant - with an instant flare of aggression, p53
41. Pour - let the first cloudburst pour out its strength, p156
Liar, Liar - Lisa Jackson 4/27
19. Drip - she felt a drip of relief, p156
The Cabinet of Dr. Leng - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child 4/28
8. Blend - careful to blend in with the crowds, p227
37. Organic - he collected organic compounds, p214
Caught in the Flames - Kacey Shea 4/29
4. Barista - grocery store that has a little barista stall inside, ch9
An Unthinkable Thing - Nicole Lundrigan 4/30
5. Beans - she's not once spilled the beans, p167
**************************
10. Brew -
13. Coffee Break -
14. Coffee Maker -
April
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1964Duration: May 1 - July 31, 2023
Level: Nostalgia: 11-15 tasks
READ: 15/15
✔ 1. Popular Baby Names
Lisa, Michael, Susan, John, Donna
✴️ Read a book by an author or with a character named Lisa, Michael, Susan, John or Donna.
Death Runs Adrift - Karen MacInerney (MCs boyfriend is John) 5/16
✔ 2. Minimum Wage $1.15/hr
✴️ Read a series book #1 or #11 or #15 (include series name and number).
The Iron Wyrm Affair - Lilith Saintcrow (Bannon & Clare #1) 5/23
✔ 3. U.S. President - Lyndon B. Johnson
✴️ Read a book where a character is a high school teacher OR by an author who uses a middle initial OR set in Texas.
War Song of the Wild - Rebecca L. Fearnley 5/21
✔ 4. World Population - 3.273 Billion
✴️ Read a book that has a rating of 3.2 or higher. Tell us the book's rating.
Full Moon Saloon - Aimee Easterling (4.10 rating) 5/22
✔ 5. Born in 1964
Monica Bellucci, Italian actress and model
Dan Brown, American author
Russell Crowe, New Zealand-born actor
Guillermo del Toro, Mexican film director
Vivica A. Fox, American actress
Lenny Kravitz, American singer, songwriter, and actor
Teresa Edwards, American basketball player
✴️ Read a book with a character whose first name or last name begins with B, C, D, E, F, G, K, L, M, R, T or V (tell us their name).
Abandoned in Death - J.D. Robb (Eve Dallas) 5/28
✔ 6. Died in 1964
February 25 – Grace Metalious, American writer
March 23 – Peter Lorre, Hungarian-born actor
April 5 – Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army general, Supreme Allied Commander in Japan after World War II
May 27 – Jawaharlal Nehru, Indian politician, 1st Prime Minister of India
July 31 – Jim Reeves, American country singer
October 20 – Herbert Hoover, American politician, 31st President of the United States
October 27 – Pierre Cartier, French jeweler
December 11 – Sam Cooke, American singer and songwriter
✴️ Read a book by an author whose initials are the same letter or whose initials are only consonants - no vowels.
Wondering Sight - Melissa McShane 5/10
✔ 7. Sports Winners
World Series (Baseball): St. Louis Cardinals
World Heavyweight Championship (Boxing): Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston by TKO in the 7th round.
Stanley Cup (Hockey): Toronto Maple Leafs
NFL Champions: Cleveland Browns
U.S. Open Golf: Ken Venturi
Kentucky Derby: Northern Dancer becomes the first Canadian–bred horse to win it.
✴️ Read a book set in Canada, California, Missouri, Ohio OR with a character that has the same initials like Cassius Clay OR with a bird, maple leaf or horse on the cover (show cover).
Blackbird Fly - Lise McClendon 5/29
✔ 8. In Theaters
Mary Poppins
My Fair Lady
Goldfinger
The Carpetbaggers
The Pink Panther
✴️ Read a book with the genre Anime, Billionaire, Comedy, Cowboy, Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Music, Spy/Espionage or Thriller (tell us which one you chose.)
The Thunderbird Queen - Jordan Rivet (fantasy) 5/21
✔ 9. On The Radio
"Baby I Need Your Loving" – The Four Tops
"Dancing In The Street" – Martha and The Vandellas
"House of the Rising Sun" – The Animals
"I Want to Hold Your Hand" – The Beatles
"Leader of the Pack" – The Shangri-las
"Oh, Pretty Woman" – Roy Orbison
"Where Did Our Love Go?" – The Supremes
✴️ Read a book whose title begins with B, D, H, I, L, O or W.
Believe Me - Molly Black 5/30
IN THE NEWS
✔ 10. February 26 – U.S. politician John Glenn withdraws from the race for the Democratic Party Senate nomination, following a domestic accident.
✴️ Read a book where a character injures themselves while trying to do household chores/fixing house OR with a character that has two first names - like John Glenn OR where someone quits something (what is it?).
The Vixen and the Vet - Katy Regnery (Asher Lee) 5/5
✔ 11. March 6 – Boxer Cassius Clay announces the change of his name to Muhammad Ali.
✴️ Read a book where the MC is a boxer OR where a character changes their name OR by an author who uses a pseudonym.
Rebel - Claire Delacroix (pseudonym Deborah Cooke) 5/17
✔ 12. April 13 – At the 36th Academy Awards ceremony, Sidney Poitier becomes the first African-American to win an Academy Award in the category Best Actor in a Leading Role in Lilies of the Field.
✴️ Read a book with an African-American character OR with nuns in the story OR from the Christian genre.
Belong to the Night - Shelly Laurenston (Jamie Meachum) 5/31
✔ 13. August 27 – Walt Disney's Mary Poppins has its world premiere in Los Angeles. It will go on to become Disney's biggest moneymaker, and winner of 5 Academy Awards, including a Best Actress. It is the first Disney film to be nominated for Best Picture.
✴️ Read a Mary Poppins book OR a book that has a movie or TV tie-in OR a book where the MC is a nanny.
Hidden Pictures - Jason Rekulak 6/9
✔ 14. November 21 – The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge across New York Bay opens to traffic (the world's longest suspension bridge at this time). The bridge has a central span of 4,260 feet.
✴️ Read a book with a bridge on the cover (show cover) OR set in Staten Island or Brooklyn (NYC) OR with a 0, 2, 4 or 6 in the page count.
The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station - Fay Abernethy (464 pages) 5/25
✔ 15. December 10 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.
✴️ Read a book with a minister in the story OR a book that has won a prize OR whose title begins with a letter in PEACE.
All Bets Are Off - Kristi Rose 5/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Scavenger Challenge - Redwoods
READ: 49/45
Siren's Surrender - Devyn Quinn 5/1
1. Age - at the age of seventeen, p17
2. Amazing - hell no, I think it's amazing, p146
3. Ancient - giving researchers two good examples of ancient Mer technology, p196
6. California - still whining about the move to California, p185
7. Century - a few days, it feels like a century, p185
28. Nature - an abomination against nature, p146
32. Preserve/Preservation - it was for their own preservation, p194
34. Region - those unmanned submersibles in the canyon regions, p121
36. Scientist - scientists had yet to discover the source, p18
41. Study - is to fully study to species, p116
42. Survival - the survival of Magaera's people was at stake, p84
47. Water - he hated deep water of any kind, p16
48. Wind - like the beginning of a ferocious wind, p73
50. Years -a couple of years ago, p31
Inca Gold - Clive Cussler 5/2
5. Branch - as if he were a mutated branch, p24
10. Coast - along the coast of the inland sea, p5
11. Decades - richest prize taken by a privateer in decades,, p17
12. Die - and wait to die, p50
26. Millions - millions of tons of pure destructive rose higher, p23
33. Project - the photographer who was filming the project, p34
45. Trunk - over the end of a dead tree trunk, p43
The Protector - Donna Grant 5/3
29. Numbers - they had the numbers, p8
The Vixen and the Vet - Katy Regnery 5/5
20. Grove - asked for a picnic in the grove, p71
How to Date a Dragon - Ashlyn Chase 5/6
23. Large - battling blazes large and small, p160
37. Seasons - you know, four seasons and all that shit, p136
43. Tall - he's tall, blonde, heroic and gorgeous, p44
46. Visitors - no one was expecting any visitors, p117
The Butterfly Forest - Tom Lowe 5/7
4. Bark - he could smell earthworms, tree bark and azaleas, loc444
8. Change - anchored itself away from the tides of change, loc1371
18. Fog - fog stood motionless above the water, loc757
24. Limbs - beyond the old trees and their outstretched limbs, loc30042
30. Old - my old house is across the river, loc577
31. Place - a place where Florida existed, loc757
35. Roots - nothing but ants, roots and rocks, loc429
39. Size - the size of a grapefruit, loc444
40. Soil - I know, they grew in drier soils, loc190
44. Top - I could see the top of the Ponce lighthouse, loc813
49. Wood - a hundred ax blades chewing wood, loc1511
The Vanquisher of Water - Logan Young 5/7
16. Fire - Kym was on fire, p61
25. Massive - a massive black mountain growing larger, p93
The Botanist - Liesel Hill 5/8
9. Climb - permission to climb it, p318
13. Effect - the effect was extremely satisfying, p127
21. Growth - evidence of the population growth, p63
27. Moisture - could capture more moisture in a day, p240
38. Sentinel - stood at the end of the hallway like a sentinel, p266
Wondering Sight - Melissa McShane 5/10
17. Flood - like a flood that would not stop, p30
19. Giant - as if she were some giant out of myth, p158
Bad Luck - Brad Younie 5/12
15. Expert - an occult expert, p11
Alaskan Fire - Sara King 5/14
14. Environment - better for the environment, p17
*****************************
22. Iconic -
June Scavenger Challenge - Pizza
READ: 45/50
Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco 6/2
2. Appetite - it was good some people still had an appetite, p94
5. Basil - stauffed a basket with fresh basil, p17
6. Booth - before she opened her booth, p61
7. Box - I went to the ice box, p19
18. Flavor - I've been experimenting with new flavors, p13
19. Food - known for our sinfully delicious food, p11
20. Frozen - I stood there frozen with terror, p110
25. Mozzarella - with homemade mozzarella, p17
26. Mushrooms - I sliced mushrooms for the sauce, p94
32. Oven - the soaring temperatures created by our oven fires, p11
33. Pan - hitting the hot pan, p12
39. Restaurant - they stopped coming by our home and restaurant, p55
40. Sauce - I have an idea for a new sauce, p61
42. Slice - she watched me slice more mushrooms, p94
48. Tomato - corkscrew pasta served with tomato pesto, p5
Burn - Keri Arthur 6/3
46. Thick - the band was a good two inches thick, p47
Purgatory Chasm - Steve Ulfelder 6/4
10. Chicago - Jesse was in Chicago, p25
15. Dough - made techs like me a lot of dough, p2
27. Napkins - dropped my napkin on the plate, p3
45. Thin - the thin man owned the 2002 out front, p15
Magic Tides - Ilona Andrews 6/5
24. Local - the two were boars and local boys, p116
A Curious Beginning - Deanna Raybourn 6/6
3. Aroma - a greasy aroma of frying fish, p28
22. Italian - his accent thick and unmistakenly Italian, p84
Crazy Love You - Lisa Unger 6/7
23. Junk food - from junk food to booze to drugs, p22
28. New York - New York can be such a lonely deserted place, p27
44. Take out - my dad pulled up with takeout food, p34
Killed at the Whim of a Hat - Colin Cotterill 6/10
41. Sausage - I had the raw end of the sausage, p39
Ain't Too Proud to Beg - Susan Donovan 6/11
14. Delivery - okayed a jump in the warehouse-to-retail delivery, p74
A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious - Mary Wine 6/12
17. Enjoy - he seemed to enjoy the burn of the beverage, p150
37. Pie - the only meat pie being set down at the supper table, p179
A Captain and a Corset - Mary Wine 6/13
21. Hands - her hands were still strapped to the wheelchair, p107
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's - Debbie Young 6/16
29. Olives - had a craving for olives, p221
43. Special - she spoke as if it were a special treat, p41
The Lost Treasure of Drakon - Nellie H. Steele 6/16
47. To go - when I asked him if he wanted a to go cup of coffee, ch16
Never Let You Go - Katy Regnery 6/17
16. Eating - as soon as they were finished eating, p97
Never Too Much - Lori Foster 6/18
1. Appeal - he personified appeal with that voice, p20
Too Hot to Hold - Stephanie Tyler 6/19
31. Order - she had to give up her dream career on order, p65
50. Traditional -found out by more traditional routes, p364
Lime Kiln Road - S.L. Shelton 6/20
11. Crispy - lunging through the dirty, crispy, ice covered snow, loc170
12. Crust - in their pizza crust now, l1160
Heart of Ice - Gregg Olsen 6/23
34. Paper Plate - put it on a floppy paper plate, p132
36. Peppers - aren't you going to get some sweet peppers, p86
Girl in Trouble - Stacy Claflin 6/27
49. Toppings - next to five or six bottles of toppings, p201
Girl Two: Taken - Molly Black 6/28
4. Baking - dusted with flour like she'd been baking, loc914
Two Cabins, One Lake - Shaye Marlow 6/29
8. Cheese - because everything is better with cheese, p10
*****************************
9. Chewy -
13. Deep dish -
30. Onions -
35. Pepperoni -
38. Pizzeria -
July Scavenger Challenge - Random Words READ: 37/50
Rainy Day Friends - Jill Shalvis 7/1
2. appointment - I can get you an appointment, p139
5. beat - he looked at her for another beat, p20
16. girl - far more to Mia than sarcastic, caustic party girl, p41
17. heaven - you both came straight from heaven, p84
20. interrupt - but I don't want to interrupt, p6
35. riot - and got read the riot act, p11
36. roof - there wasn't a daily worry about a roof over her head, p213
Fool's Moon - Diane A.S. Stuckart 7/2)
40. tape - a roll of the sticky stuff humans called tape, p3
49. win - I'll win you over yet, my pretty, p43
Lethal Licorice - Amanda Flower 7/3
7. concession - let's go to the concessions and get you some tea, p8
44. tourist - the event was a big tourist draw, p2
The Rifts of Psyche - Kyle West 7/4
48. weak - I'm weak, Lucian, ch47
Burn the Ship - Sarah Branson 7/6
1. analyst - risen through the ranks as a financial analyst, p37
3. arrow - I look at my shoulder and see an arrow, p312
10. debate - after some debate with Aaron and Bailey, p318
13. execute - you executed those men, p134
18. hill - picking up the b ottle of Old Fire Hill, p128
31. president - well, madam president, p52
50. wound - as if remembering a wound, p207
Magic and Misrule - K.M. Merritt 7/8
11. dorm - our dormitory housed all the other monks, p85
14. fail - that could fail at any moment, p29
22. magazine - with clippings from lady's magazines, p6
39. strange - she was already getting strange looks, p4
46. true - that wasn't true anymore, p24
Charmed and Dangerous - Lindsay Buroker 7/9
47. van - a van, really? p176
The Fires of Hephaestus - Kyle West 7/10
9. cylinder - that cylinder extended about five kilometers, ch6
The Dragon Republic - R.F. Kuang 7/16
27. parade - drowned out the lute music from the front of the parade, p19
32. rational - you're assuming Moag is rational, p86
Eve of Samhain - Lisa Sanchez 7/17
4. beach - my butt would take on beach front property, p24
6. bedroom - no longer in the kitchen but in Quinn's bedroom, p256
26. palm - my palms felt sweaty, p39
43. ton - as though it weighed a metric ton, p39
45. trench - complete with a trench coat that billowed, p32
Here and Then - Linda Lael Miller 7/23
41. temptation - never had to deal with such a degree of temptation, p124
Vanishing Edge - Claire Kells 7/23
23. marine - marine life, had a leader gotten to it, ch51
The Siege of Earth - Kyle West 7/31
24. network - and hacked into the network, p24
28. pasture - it was time to put car out to pasture,, p51
****************************
8. confront -
12. eliminate -
15. forward -
19. insure -
21. knit -
25. occasion -
29. patient -
30. preference -
33. recognize -
34. reflect -
37. settlement -
38. spite -
42. terrify -
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1988Duration: August 1 - October 31, 2023
Level: Nostalgia: 11-15 tasks
READ: 14/11+
✔ 1. Popular Baby Names
Jessica, Ashley, Michael, Christopher
✴️ Read a book by an author or with a character named Jessica, Ashley, Michael or Christopher.
Angels Rising - Harriet Carlton (Archangel Michael) 8/2
✔ 2. The average price for a gallon of gas was $1.08.
✴️ Read a series book #1 or #8 or #10 or #18 (include series name and number).
Vanilla Vendetta - Rosie A. Point (Mission Inn-possible #1) 8/19
✔ 3. U.S. President - Ronald Reagan
✴️ Read a book where a character is an actor OR by an author with the same initials OR set in Illinois.
Craks in a Marriage - Barbara Barrett 8/14
✔ 4. The U.S. unemployment rate averaged 6.2%.
✴️ Read a book that has a 6 or 2 in the number of reviews it has received. Tell us the number.
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus - Jaime Jo Wright (630 reviews) 8/13
✔ 5. Born in 1988
Adele - UK Singer
A$AP Rocky - Rapper
Emma Stone - American Actress
Conor McGregor - MMA Fighter
Rihanna - Pop Singer
Stephen Curry - Basketball Player
Tahereh Mafi, American young-adult novelist
Veronica Roth, American young-adult novelist and short story writer
Zoë Kravitz - Movie Actress
✴️ Read a book with a character whose first name or last name begins with A, C, E, K, M, R, S, T, V or Z (tell us their name).
Death Down Under - Samantha Silver (Mikaela King) 8/15
✔ 6. Died in 1988
March 10 – Andy Gibb, British singer and songwriter
May 8 – Robert A. Heinlein, American science fiction author
June 10 – Louis L'Amour, American writer
August 14 – Enzo Ferrari, Italian sports car manufacturer
November 27 - John Carradine, American actor
December 6 – Roy Orbison, American rock musician
✴️ Read a book by an author whose initials are the same letter OR who uses an initial OR has punctuation in their name OR whose last name ends with a vowel, B or N.
Mint Murder - Rosie A. Point 8/21
✔ 7. New Books
Alaska by James A. Michener
Crimson Joy by Robert B. Parker
Dances with Wolves by Michael Blake
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
✴️ Read a book set in Alaska, Boston, New York City, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Tennessee, the United Kingdom, the United States of America or Washington D.C. (tell us where).
One Last Breath - Sarah Sutton 8/18
✔ 8. In Theaters
Rain Man
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Coming To America
Big
Twins
Die Hard
✴️ Read a book with the genre Action, Anime, Christmas, Comedy (Humor), Drama, Fantasy, Romance (tell us which one you chose.)
The Choice - Nora Roberts (fantasy and romance) 8/12
✔ 9. On The Radio
"A Groovy Kind of Love" – Phil Collins
"Don't Worry Be Happy" - Bobby McFerrin
"Faith" – George Michael
"Got My Mind Set On You" – George Harrison
"Heaven is a Place on Earth" – Belinda Carlisle
"Man in the Mirror" – Michael Jackson
"Need You Tonight" – INXS
"Never Gonna Give You Up" – Rick Astley
"Sweet Child O' Mine" – Guns N' Roses
"You Got It (The Right Stuff)" – New Kids on the Block
✴️ Read a book whose title begins with A, D, F, G, H, M, N, S or Y - all words count.
Strawberry Sin - Rosie A. Point 8/19
IN THE NEWS
10. March 31 – Author Toni Morrison received a Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved.
✴️ Read Beloved OR a book written by an African American woman OR a Pulitzer Winner.
✔ 11. May 17 - The Supreme Court ruled that trash placed at the curbside is unprotected by the Fourth Amendment.
✴️ Read a book where someone takes out the trash OR a Series #4.
Raspberry Revenge - Rosie A. Point (Mission Inn-Possible #4) 8/20
✔ 12. July 31 – The last Playboy Club closed in Lansing, Michigan.
✴️ Read a book where a business closes OR where a character works in a bar OR set in Michigan.
Unnatural Causes - Dawn Eastman 10/11
✔ 13. October 9 – The musical The Phantom of the Opera opened on Broadway.
✴️ Read a book with an opera singer OR where someone is held prisoner OR that revolves around a play.
Sweep of the Heart - Ilona Andrews 8/27
✔ 14. November 2 – The Morris worm, the first computer worm distributed via the Internet, written by Robert Tappan Morris, is launched from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S.
✴️ Read a book where a computer is very important (tell us how) OR where the letters WORM are found in the title in any order.
Death, Taxes, and H<u>o</u>t-Pink Leg <U>Wa<U>rm</u>ers - Diane Kelly 10/6
✔ 15. The first Walmart Supercenter opens in Washington, Missouri, combining general merchandise and a full-scale supermarket to provide one-stop shopping convenience.
✴️ Read a book where someone shops at Walmart OR with a blue title OR set in Missouri
The Becoming - Nora Roberts 8/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August Scavenger Challenge - Negative Feelings
READ: 48/50
The Becoming - Nora Roberts 8/6
3. Afraid - I was so afraid, p238
4. Angry - like the bite of an angry wasp, p422
5. Anxious - where she didn't know everyone made her anxious, p123
6. Awkward - she didn't feel awkward, p130
7. Beat - she felt the beat of that joy in the air, p287
8. Betray - you'd betray me, p263
9. Bitter - wept tears so bitter they burned into her soul, p293
10. Careless - I don't want to be careless with you, p393
16. Distress - the distress in her own was genuine, p252
21. Embarrassed - she embarrassed herself, p258
22. Frighten - she'll sleep through it and not be frightened, p171
23. Frustrate - even as it frustrates me, p380
25. Hate - hate can cool in time, p347
30. Mad - you're mad for him, aren't you, p386
35. Overwhelm - overwhelmed she pressed her face to his scales, p357
36. Panic - you don't want me to panic going down this mountain, p98
42. Sad - there you go making me sad, p125
44. Scared - are you scared of going south, p134
49. Useless - ease him away from useless traditions, p363
The Sanatorium - Sarah Pearse 8/8
12. Confuse - that it will confuse things further,, p181
20. Edgy - edgy in the pared-back European way, p96
28. Jealous - she can't help but be a little jealous, p103
40. Resent - people resented them for their success, p4
46. Stress - but the stress for Lucas, p201
47. Stupid - Adele knows its stupid to think ahead, p25
50. Worry - they worry cause it's out of character, p71
Angels Falling - Harriet Carlton 8/11
24. Grumpy - good to see grumpy pants is back, ch2
The Choice - Nora Roberts 8/12
14. Defiant - sent the defiant woman to a world of darkness, p117
32. Miserable - I was still miserable, p307
39. Rejected - that boys rejected God's word, p348
45. Selfish - I was selfish with my grief, p32
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus - Jaime Jo Wright 8/13
1. Abandoned - to enter an abandoned building, p81
Craks in a Marriage - Barbara Barrett 8/14
27. Incompetent - any excuse for having me declared incompetent, p36
48. Threaten - did she threaten you, p141
Death Down Under - Samantha Silver 8/15
11. Cheated - wanted Carter to know she hadn't cheated, p74
38. Pressure - I thought I'd be able to handle the pressure,, p5
Incendiary in a Kilt - Anna Durand 8/17
43. Sarcastic -you've grown much more sarcastic lately, ch27
Forever Neverland - Heather Killough-Walden 8/18
15. Despise - despise more than anything in the world, p69
26. Humiliate - to add to her own humiliation, p4
29. Lonely - the lonely tree stood empty, p2
Strawberry Sin - Rosie A. Point 8/19
31. Mean - mean folks didn't either, ch25
Beyond Neverland - Heather Killough-Walden 8/20
17. Doubt - shook off the remnants of the shroud of doubt, loc219
19. Disgust - with a good dose of disgust, loc1919
Pineapple Lies - Amy Vansant 8/21
13. Cranky - all of them variations of cranky, p20
41. Ridiculous - that's ridiculous, p22
Chocolate Chills - Rosie A. Point 8/21
33. Moody - cooking and cleaning beat dealing with moody guests, ch2
Resonance Surge - Nalini Singh 8/25
2. Abused - he physically abused you? p212
Opal Smoke - Stephanie Fazio 8/28
37. Powerless - he was as powerless as they were, loc968
****************************
18. Duped -
34. Offended -
September Scavenger Challenge - Accessories
READ: 46/50
Spells for Forgetting - Adrienne Young 9/2
5. Bracelet - wearing one of these willow-branch bracelets, p309
7. Button - reaching for the button on my pants, p260
25. Handkerchief - wiping blood from his lips with a handkerchief, p153
28. Item - my hands felt for the items in question, p215
39. Necklace - maybe she borrowed if for the party, p280
41. Polish - I dipped the brush into the nail polish, p201
43. Scarf - I untied my scarf, p190
Pumpkin Spice Peril - Jenn McKinlay 9/3
37. Make up - her makeup on point, ch14
You Are Not Alone - Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 9/4
21. Glasses - I removed my glasses, p22
You Betrayed Me - Lisa Jackson 9/5
15. Earrings - an earring or something personal, p167
22. Gloves - found a pair of work gloves, p54
26. Hat - she pulled off her hat, p81
27. Heels - boot heels striking the hardwood, p2
29. Jacket - she flipped up the hood of her jacket, p36
31. Keys - pocketing his keys, p36
32. Kit - I've got a shaving kit in the bathroom, p100
47. Wallet - she grabbed her wallet, p230
50. Zipper - straining the zipper, p458
The Vow - Dannika Dark 9/7
30. Jewelry - Hope specialized in jewelry design, p1
35. Lipstick - each was fitted with items like lipstick, p250
Murder in the Book Lover's Loft - Ellery Adams 9/8
3. Belt - as was his black leather belt, ch5
9. Choices - able to make her own choices, p161
20. Formal - been to very many formal banquets, p194
23. Hair - while Nerissa helped her with her hair, p204
24. Handbag - a navy handbag, ch8
46. Vintage - look at this cool vintage Halloween stuff, ch3
48. Wardrobe - the books are displayed in different wardrobes, ch3
Just Haven't Met You Yet - Sophie Cousens 9/9
40. Pin - carries on arranging pins, p114
44. Shoes - shoes falling off cliffs, p101
45. Sunglasses - his eyebrows dancing up and down behind his sunglasses, p232
49. Watch - his old watch that I never take off, p28
The Alpha - Dannika Dark 9/10
38. Model - he emulated a male model, ch4
For Whom the Book Tolls - Laura Gail Black 9/10
13. Design - are exact replicas of designs from the 1890s, p93
19. Fashion - ever grace the cover of a fashion magazine, p21
33. Lace - lace exactly matched to her antique dress, p20
Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose 9/13
4. Bow - a bow tie and round spectacles, ch10
10. Classic - he lifted his brows in a classic "told-you-so" expression, 9313
16. Elegant - she was elegant and fierce, p242
Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi 9/16
8. Casual - her best attempt at sounding casual, p14
11. Color - filled them with colors she loved, p33
18. Fad - there were fads in the Realms, p110
36. Look - her heart warming at his pleased look, p2
Forced to Flee - Terri Reed 9/17
6. Briefcase - approached with a briefcase in hand, p197
Fragile - Lisa Unger 9/19
17. Fabric - an open box of fabric softener, p169
Unseen - Jana Deleon 9/20
12. Cosmetics - hair products and a cosmetic bag, loc1566
Benyu Born of Ash - Katie Feavel 9/23
2. Bangles - the iron bangles on my wrist, p11
***********************************
1. Apparel -
14. Dressy -
34. Lingerie -
42. Pumps -
October Scavenger Hunt - Drawing
READ: 49/50
The Book of Fire - Marjorie Kellogg 10/1
1. antique - she roots out an antique plastic tarp, p33
3. balance - it's all gone out of balance, p60
9. candle - a fat candle burning behind the glass, p29
19. hidden - consult lists hidden in their palms, p272
44. storm/stormy - an anchor in stormy seas, p42
50. wave - sails past them with an august wave, p33
Never Lie - Freida McFadden 10/2
35. scissors - including a pair of scissors, ch14
Never Whistle at Night - Shane Hawk 10/2
17. football - she follows the sound of football instead, p25
20. insect - where the night insects swirled over wild weeds, p118
21. latte - hasn't had her decaf latte yet, p29
29. mushroom - mushroom inside him and mess up his innards, p280
47. swing - swing time, she said, p74
The Girl the Sea Gave Back - Adrienne Young 10/4
15. fire - the boat had been on fire, p8
16. flame - until the flames rose up taller than he stood, p10
Malice House - Megan Shepherd 10/5
7. bluff - separating it from the sea bluffs, p72
8. bones - the hellhound would gnaw on the bones, p145
25. midnight - or spilling midnight cups of water, p25
26. mirror - I'd wiped my hand over a fogged-up mirror, p169
37. shoes - the sound of shoes on pavement, p153
38. skull - a partially decayed skull, p144
49. umbrella - my umbrella and rain coat were inside, p190
Untethered Sky - Fonda Lee 10/7
14. feather - she shook her tail feathers, p115
41. spice - married to a wealthy spice merchant, p133
48. tree - my house, tethered to the tree, p90
23rd Midnight - James Patterson 10/8
11. clown - with clowns, acrobats and elephants, ch71
36. scratch - Lewis suffered no injuries not even a scratch, ch56
40. soup - I picked up noodle soup, ch47
43. stars - one popped, not with stars but gunfire, ch98
Ledge - Stacey McEwan 10/9
2. apple - an inch from his Adam's apple, p170
5. bent - Dawsyn takes a bent trowel to the ground, p4
6. bloom - excitement blooms through his veins, p217
18. harvest - the trees she harvests, p8
24. mask - like he has removed a mask, p69
27. mist - so too, does the mist, p29
28. moon - like moon pulling tides from the shore, p78
33. rattle - with so much force the hinges rattle, p149
42. square - do you see the monument in the town square, p127
45. sugar - it is butter and sugar, p119
Other Birds - Sarah Addison Allen 10/12
12. corn - she used to feed me corn bread, p31
31. orange - she hugged me and gave me an orange, p54
34. scary - real life is scary enough, p133
Gone with the Whisker - Laurie Cass 10/15
10. candy - scents of charcoal fluid and cotton candy, p22
13. cozy - she had to be comfortably cozy in there, p76
22. lighthouse - King's raspberries, lighthouse park, p300
23. magic - she rolled into a bun and secured with magic, p51
30. open - some things you're better off leaving open, p162
The Taken Ones - Jess Lourey 10/17
32. pumpkin - plus the three pumpkins, p112
Swamp Spirits - Jana Deleon 10/19
39. snack - we could go to my camp and eat snacks, p297
46. sunflower -and a baggie of sunflower seeds, p43
***************************
4. baseball cap
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1949Duration: November 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
Level: Nostalgia: 11-15 tasks
READ: 15/15
✔ 1. Popular Baby Names
Linda, Mary, James and Robert
❇️ Read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with L, M, J or R.
Yes & I Love You - Roni Loren 11/1
✔ 2. The average price for a new house was $7450.00.
❇️ Read a series book #4 or #5 or #7
The Peacock's Poison - Ruby Loren (Madigan Amos Zoo Mystery #5) 11/18
✔ 3. U.S. President - Harry S. Truman
❇️ Read a book where a character wears glasses OR by an author who uses a middle initial OR set in Missouri.
The Child of Venlet - K.C. Nuzum 11/12
✔ 4. In the U.S. average yearly wages were $2950.
❇️ Read a book that has a 0, 2, 5 or 9 in the page count.
City of Ruin - Charissa Weaks (400 pages) 11/15
✔ 5. Born in 1949
January 24 – John Belushi, American actor and comedian
February 22 – Niki Lauda, Austrian triple Formula 1 world champion
March 16 – Victor Garber, Canadian actor
March 18 – Alex Higgins, Northern Irish snooker player
June 5 – Ken Follett, English novelist
July 15 – Richard Russo, American Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
October 8 – Sigourney Weaver, American actress
❇️ Read a book with a character whose first name or last name begins with A, B, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, R, S, V, or W
Made in the U.S.A. - Billie Letts (Lutie McFee) 11/16
✔ 6. Died in 1949
January 15 – Charles Ponzi, Italian-born American con man
April 15 – Wallace Beery, American actor, Grand Hotel, The Champ, Robin Hood, Viva Villa!
May 27 – Robert Ripley, American creator of Ripley's Believe It or Not!
August 16 – Margaret Mitchell, American novelist
October 21 – Laura of Saint Catherine of Siena, Colombian Roman Catholic religious professed and saint
December 6 – Lead Belly, African-American blues musician
❇️ Read a book published in January, April, May, August, October or December of any year.
The Little Black Dress - Piper James (pub January 8, 2022) 11/15
✔ 7. New Books
Agatha Christie – Crooked House
Ellery Queen – Cat of Many Tails
Foster Fitzsimmons – Bright Leaf
Harold Robbins – The Dream Merchants
Howard Clewes – Green Grow the Rushes
Nelson Algren – The Man with the Golden Arm
Nevil Shute – A Town Like Alice
Ross Macdonald – The Moving Target
❇️ Read a book set in London, New York City, North Carolina, England, California, Chicago, or Australia.
House of Correction - Nicci French 11/11
✔ 8. In Theaters
I Was a Male War Bride
Intruder in the Dust
Jolson Sings Again
Little Women
Neptune's Daughter
Sands of Iwo Jima
The Secret Garden
White Heat
❇️ Read a book with the genre Biography, Childrens, Classics, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Music, Mystery, Romance, or War.
Hollowthorn - Kalyn Josephson 11/1
IN THE NEWS
✔ 9. February 22 – Grady the Cow, a 1,200-pound cow, gets stuck inside a silo on a farm in Yukon, Oklahoma, and garners national media attention in the United States.
❇️ Read a book where you find the word COW in the text (share page/loc#) OR set in Oklahoma OR where something captures media attention (tell us what).
Whales and a Watery Grave - Ruby Loren 11/2
(MC is a famous author (comics) and is also on a movie set)
✔ 10. March 2 – First automatic street lights go into operation in New Milford, Connecticut.
❇️ Read a book with a street light on the cover (show cover) OR set in a small town.
Death Overdue - Allison Brook (Clover Ridge, CT) 11/9
✔ 11. March 31 – The former British colony of Newfoundland joins Canada, as its 10th province.
❇️ Read a book set on an island OR set in Canada OR a Series #10.
Calculated Risks - Seanan McGuire (InCryptid #10) 11/11
✔ 12. June 8 – George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is published in London by Secker & Warburg.
❇️ Read a book with the genre Dystopian, Social or Sci Fi OR a book with a number in the title.
Twelve Angry Librarians - Miranda James 11/6
✔ 13. June 24 – The first television western, Hopalong Cassidy, airs on NBC in the United States.
❇️ Read a book where the MC is a cowboy OR whose title is in cursive lettering OR read a book that has ties to movies and/or TV like Hopalong Cassidy.
Books of Blood: Volume One - Clive Barker 11/5
✔ 14. September 2 – Film noir The Third Man, with screenplay by Graham Greene and set in Allied-occupied Vienna, is released in the United Kingdom; it wins the 1949 Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
❇️ Read a book where a person investigates a friend's murder OR with a Main Page Genre Mystery OR a book that has won a prize (tell us the name).
Force of Nature - Jane Harper 11/4
✔ 15. September 17 – Warner Bros. cartoon, "Fast and Furry-ous" is released. It also marks the debut of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
❇️ Read a book with a title that is a pun OR with a sign on the cover (show cover) OR the first book in a new to you series.
Viking Warrior Rising - Asa Maria Bradley (Viking Warrior #1) 11/17
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Scavenger Hunt - Hello Fall
READ: 47/50
Hollowthorn - Kalyn Josephson 11/1
5. blanket - leaves blanket the ground, p196
7. boots - before shoving on my boots, p196
9. candle - Henry sets a candle in each of the shudders, p238
10. cat - like a cat curling up after a nap, p199
19. hot chocolate - making peppermint hot chocolate with snowflake marshmallows, p16
23. mushroom - inspecting a gold and red mushroom, p55
39. squirrel - he'll just squirrel away in this study, p4
41. sweater - I'm waring the Shalom gnome sweater he got me, p4
42. tea - no amount of Gran's tea had done anything to help, p86
Whales and a Watery Grave - Ruby Loren 11/2
13. cocktails - a really strange fruit-and-weird foreign liqueor cocktail, loc231
Grave Witch - Kalayna Price 11/3
2. basket - as well as another basket of chips and salsa, p61
8. brown - wrinkles in his brown jacket, p18
14. coffee - as Rodgers arrived with the coffee, p89
27. pillow - PC looked up from his pillow, p101
34. scarf - I grabbed a head scarf, p102
35. scarlet - competing with her scarlet dress, p129
37. snuggle - I snuggled deep under my blankets, p205
50. yellow - he'd found yellow rubber gloves somewhere, p210
Force of Nature - Jane Harper 11/4
11. chilly - the night air was chilly, p6
30. rain - the windshield was lightly spotting with rain, p19
47. wine - they brandished bottles of wine, p46
All the Crooked Saints - Maggie Stiefvater 11/5
25. owl - on the other side of where the owl appeared, p15
Books of Blood: Volume One - Clive Barker 11/5
24. needles - the needles of broken glass skipped against his flesh, p16
The September House - Carissa Orlando 11/6
1. amber - a tiny droplet of amber liquid, ch8
Twelve Angry Librarians - Miranda James 11/6
20. knitting - she carried a knitting bag around with her, p146
Midnight Showing - Megan Shepherd 11/8
12. cloudy - the irises were dulled, overtaken with a cloudy sheen, p205
28. pine cone - combing her hair with a pinecone, p61
31. raincoat - still pretending her raincoat made a difference, p118
33. rug - near the pile of old rugs, p283
Death Overdue - Allison Brook 11/9
6. books - I needed some cartons for my books, p146
16. cranberry - and cranberry sauce, p262
29. pumpkin - the bakery makes scrumptious pumpkin breads, p77
40. stuffing - a pork chop with cranberry stuffing, p104
45. turkey - I love preparing the turkey, p262
46. umbrella - was considering an umbrella holder, p290
Calculated Risks - Seanan McGuire 11/11
38. socks - tucked into his left sock, p96
The Child of Venlet - K.C. Nuzum 11/12
15. cozy - the Holfenians seldom left their cozy home, p323
32. red - the red that painted her face, p342
36. slippers - took his shoes and gave him slippers, p111
The Little Black Dress - Piper James 11/15
4. beer - it's usually half a beer, loc2818
The Peacock's Poison - Ruby Loren 11/18
26. pie - you can never have too many mince pies, loc2590
Dreadful - Jana Deleon 11/18
17. fire - everyone is bury with the fire, p192
Abounding Might - Melissa McShane 11/22
18. hat - dressed in short trousers and a soft hat, p286
An Argumentation of Historians - Jodi Taylor 11/25
43. tea pot - a twelve-foot high teapot was standing on the lawn, p92
44. throw - he pulled the throw over us both, p65
21. leaf - there was a smell of leaf mould, p161
A Merciful Secret - Kendra Elliot 11/26
48. wood stove - Mercy dived next to the woodstove, p297
*********************************
3. beanie
22. mums
49. yarn
December Scavenger Hunt: I Spy Subway Station
READ: 45/50
The City of Brass - S.A. Chakraborty 12/1
3. arrow - an arrow whistled through the air, p29
20. graffiti - columns carved with Nabatean graffiti, p58
23. heart - he touched his heart, p60
33. scarf - Nahri pushed back the scarf, p16
Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! - Donna Andrews 12/2
25. knife - accessing the weight and feel of the knife, ch18
26. lighter - searching for matches or a lighter, ch19
40. soda - I've got your soda, ch19
Hollyberry Homicide - Sharon Farrow 12/3
1. anchor - pickup cruellers from the Drop Anchor Bakery, p10
27. lollipop - I can give away the blueberry lollipop, p14
29. money - they depended on his money to keep them afloat, p17
Payback in Death - J.D. Robb 12/5
7. briefcase - a good-sized briefcase, p214
50. wallet - a bright red wallet, p282
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn - Danielle L. Jensen 12/10
4. ball - a ball of light floated past me, p169
11. candle - Sabine handed her a candle, p54
Hope for the Best - Jodi Taylor 12/13
17. cube - he tapped the box of files and data cubes, p23
38. snail - they'll only be able to travel at a snail's pace, p123
39. snake - how the snake had suddenly found itself in the crowd, p374
49. underwear - more frequently than his underwear, p102
Wicked Fix - Sarah Graves 12/14
47. traffic cone - with a bunch of orange traffic cones, p25
48. umbrella - white gauze beach umbrella, p1
Rock Paper Scissors - Alice Feeney 12/16
6. bottle - she'd cut her finger on a sharp piece of bottle, p56
10. butterfly - like caterpillars turning into butterflies, p135
35. shoe - who puts a tiny labrador puppy in a shoe box, p19
Statue of Limitations - Kate Collins 12/17
18. cup of coffee - I headed to the Parthenon for a cup of Greek coffee, p26
21. groceries - I promised to be back by 3pm with groceries, p78
41. speaker - all heads turned in the speaker's direction, p112
43. spring - attend the annual High School Spring Dance, p21
Wed, Read & Dead - V.M. Burns 12/18
14. chocolate - I'd guess it was chocolate frosting, p115
The Game Bird - Aidan R. Walsh 12/19
8. broken glass - showering broken glass and splintered wood down on them, loc1379
13. cat - at first he thought the noise was a stray cat, loc894
15. comb - after running her comb through it a few times, loc1168
42. spider web - great ghostly curtains of spiderwebs, loc824
Delicious Monsters - Liselle Sambury 12/22
34. scratch - used it to scratch my head, p5
37. skull - the more the screams pressed against my skull, p158
Voices in the Snow - Darcy Coates 12/22
12. card - a stack of thick card paper, p28
36. silhouette - flames bloomed about the silhouetted building, p197
Six Months - Dannika Dark 12/24
31. phone - he's always forgetting his damn phone, p49
45. sun - I just took it out of the sun, p170
The Society of Imaginary Friends - Kristen Pham 12/28
19. fairy - a tiny fairy the size of Valerie's hand, p115
Better Off Thread - Amanda Lee 12/29
16. crime scene tape - I saw the yellow crime scene tape across the door, p28
46. teddy bear - resumed work on the cross stitch teddy bear, p45
*************************
2. animal carrier
9. bullet holes
22. gym bag
30. peace sign
44. subway
Hidden Numbers: Christmas CabinDuration: December 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024
Level: Two - 12+ books
READ: 20/20
1. (October 10, 2023) - Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! - Donna Andrews 12/2
2. (September 20, 2020) - Hollyberry Homicide - Sharon Farrow 12/3
3. (400 pages) - Payback in Death - J.D. Robb 12/5
4. (342 pages) - It's Getting Scot in Here - Suzanne Enoch 12/7
5. (pub 11-7-23) - The Olympian Affair - Jim Butcher 12/8
6. (ISBN 9780593437919 ) - The Book That Wouldn’t Burn - Mark Lawrence 12/9
7. (Jenny Cain #7) - I.O.U. - Nancy Pickard 12/10
8. (pub January 28, 2020) - Scot Under the Covers - Suzanne Enoch 12/11
9. (pub April 25, 2019) - Hope for the Best - Jodi Taylor 12/13
10. (291 pages) - Wicked Fix - Sarah Graves 12/14
11. (#1 Claire Anderson Murder for all Seasons) - Murder at the Snowed Inn - Imogen Plimp 12/15
12. (pub Jan 23, 2016) - Pastrami Murder - Patti Benning 12/16
13. (432 pages) - A Dawn of Onyx - Kate Golden 12/17
14. (pub December 22, 2021) - Snowed in with Grumpy - Olivia Noble 12/20
15. (pub November 18, 2019) - Voices in the Snow - Darcy Coates 12/22
16. (895 reviews) - Delicious Monsters - Liselle Sambury 12/22
17. (9781734678826) - Saving Verakko - Victoria Aveline 12/23
18. (296 pages) - Just the Sexiest Man Alive - Julie James 12/26
19. (9780399174490) - When All the Girls Have Gone - Jayne Ann Krentz 12/26
20. (pub September 28, 2010) - The Best of Friends - Susan Mallery 12/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
I Wanna Be a Rock Star - Christmas Album Edition
Duration: November 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Level: EP: 7-15 songs
READ: 15/15
1. '12 Days of Christmas': Bob and Doug McKenzie
The Darkest Day - Britt Bury 11/14
2. 'River': Sarah McLachlan
Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield 11/25
3. 'Baby, It's Cold Outside': Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson
By Their Cold Fingers - Timothy Brian 12/1
4. 'Christmas Wrapping': Glee
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell 12/6
5. 'Do They Know It's Christmas?': Band Aid
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor 12/8
6. 'All I Want for Christmas Is You': Mariah Carey
Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall 12/16
7. 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear': Josh Groban
Midnight in Everwood - Maria Kuzniar 12/17
8. 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer': Elmo and Patsy
Reindeer Runes - Danielle Garrett 12/18
9. 'I'll Be Home With Bells On': RuPaul
Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews 12/20
10. 'The Christmas Song': Nat King Cole
Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
11. 'Do You Hear What I Hear?': Carrie Underwood
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti 1/5
12. 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year': Andy Williams
No Time Like the Past - Jodi Taylor 1/7
13. 'White Christmas': Bing Crosby
White is the Coldest Colour - John Nicholl 1/18
14. 'Go Tell It on the Mountain': James Taylor
Live To Tell - Lisa Gardner 1/20
15. 'The Chipmunk Song': David Seville
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night - Amélie Wen Zhao 1/28
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Classic Ice Cream Truck TreatsDuration: January 1 - June 30, 2023
READ: 18/18
✔️1. Bubble Play
🍦 Read a book whose title ENDS with Y OR with 10 (intact) in the publication date OR with a baseball or mitt on the cover (show cover).
Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas (pub May 25, 2010) 1/21
✔️2. Candy Center Crunch
🍦 Read a book with a three word title OR with 17 (intact) in the publication date OR with a chocolate colored cover (show cover).
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson (pub Nov 21, 2017) 1/1
✔️3. Chipwich
🍦 Read a book with a one word title OR with 8 in the publication date OR with a chocolate chip cookie on the cover (show cover).
Blaze - Lisa Carlisle 1/13
✔️4. Choco Taco
🍦 Read a book with 3 o's in the title OR with 9 in the publication date OR with a taco or peanuts on the cover (show cover).
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
✔️5. Chocolate Éclair
🍦 Read a book with a two word title OR with 15 (intact) in the publication date OR with any sized cake on the cover (show cover).
Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
✔️6. Cotton Candy/Bubble Gum Swirl
🍦 Read a book with a five word title OR with 25 (intact) in the publication date OR with a bubble gum colored cover (show cover).
The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
✔️7. Creamsicle
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with C OR with 1 and 0 in the page count OR with an orange colored cover (show cover).
The Corpse in the Cabana - Shéa MacLeod 1/12
✔️8. Crunch Bar
🍦 Read a book whose title ENDS with R OR with 9 in the page count OR with a bumpy item on the cover (show cover).
The Heretic Royal - G.A. Aiken (jewels in bow are bumpy) 1/25
✔️9. Drumstick
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with D OR with 9 in the number of ratings OR with the title in red lettering (show cover).
California Girls - Susan Mallery 1/31
✔️10. Firecrackers
🍦 Read a book whose title contains a word that ends with -CK OR with 12 (intact) in the publication date OR with a red, white and blue item on the cover (show cover).
The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
✔️11. Fudgsicle
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with F OR set or published "in the first half of the 20th century" OR with a yellow colored cover (show cover).
Forging Silver into Stars - Brigid Kemmerer 1/11
✔️12. Ice Cream Bar on a Stick
🍦 Read a book with a six word title OR with 19 (intact) in the publication date OR with a white cover (show cover).
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
✔️13. Ice Cream Sandwich
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with I OR with 16 (intact) in the publication date OR with a stacked item on the cover (show cover).
If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang 2/1
✔️14. Klondike Bar
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with K OR with 11 (intact) in the publication date OR with a bear on the cover (show cover).
Scottish Werebear: Books 1-3 - Lorelei Moone 1/17
✔️15. Looney Tunes Ice Pops
🍦 Read a book with a four word title OR with 18 (intact) in the publication date OR with a Looney Tunes character on the cover (show cover).
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
✔️16. Push-Up Sherbet Treats
🍦 Read a book whose title BEGINS with P OR with a 1 and 9 in the page count OR with red, yellow and blue on the cover (show cover).
Death by the Finish Line - Alexis Morgan 1/26
✔️17. Snow Cone
🍦 Read a book whose BEGINS with S OR with 8 in the page count OR with the title in white lettering (show cover).
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔️18. Strawberry Shortcake
🍦 Read a book with a compound word in the title OR with a 19 (intact) in the ratings (EX: 628,197 ratings) OR with strawberries on the cover (show cover).
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn (419 ratings) 1/30
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fun Things To Do At The BeachDuration: July 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Level: Level 2 - 20 or more
READ: 55/20+
1. Treasure Hunt
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character hunts for something. What is it?
The Great Game - Lavie Tidhar (alien artifacts) 7/14
✔ ⛱️ Read a book about a group of friends.
I Remember You - Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 9/30
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in TREASURE.
Blacklisted - Gena Showalter (Erik Trinity) 8/31
2. Building a sandcastle.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character lives in a castle.
Romancing the Duke - Tessa Dare 7/12
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a child and adult enjoy an activity together.
Home Again - Mariah Stewart (canoeing) 7/17
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with the letter SUN are in the title in any order.
A Sticky Situation - Jessie Crockett 7/1
3. Yoga
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character does yoga.
The Locked Room - Elly Griffiths (Cathbad) 7/9
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character listens to music.
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within - Becky Chambers 7/15
(selecting songs and jamming along), p160
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the first letter of each title word can be found in MEDITATION
Murder al Dente - Jennifer L. Hart 7/25
4. Read on a beach.
✔⛱️ Read a book about books
The Library of the Unwritten - A.J. Hackwith 7/17
✔⛱️ Read back where a character relaxes.
Up the Seine Without a Paddle - Eliza Watson 7/24
(heroine practices yoga breathing exercises to relax)
5. Fly a kite!
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a character who has children.
Murder Most Frothy - Cleo Coyle 7/2
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the first letter of the location of the book can be found in BEACH.
Taming Her Bear - J.K. Harper (Colorado) 7/20
6. Take a nap.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where oil can be found in the text.
The Kraken King - Meljean Brook 9/6
(heavy odor of hot metal and burning oil), p191
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character takes a nap.
Digging Up the Remains - Julia Henry 10/7
(I took a nap this afternoon), p37
✔ ⛱️ Read a book set in a coastal town.
Munro - Kresley Cole (Louisiana bayou) 7/25
7. Play Board Games
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that a character plays a board game in.
And Then You Dye - Monica Ferris (Scrabble) 9/9
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that you find challenging.
Ordinary Monsters - J.M. Miro (672 pages) 7/4
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that the authors initials can be found in SNAKES LADDERS.
Bad Penny - Sharon Sala 7/18
8. Barbecue Party
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character has a party.
Murder Most Frothy - Cleo Coyle (David Mintz) 7/2
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character cooks on a barbecue.
Sapphire Flames - Ilona Andrews 7/8
(Linus headed for the grill, hook a skirt steak with tongs and flipped it over), p246
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the MCs initials can be found in GOOD COMPANY.
Tricks for Free - Seanan McGuire (Antimony Price) 7/10
9. Learn a new sport
✔ ⛱️ Read a book by an author who is new to you.
Survivors Will Be Shot Again - Bill Crider 7/20
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where each the first letter of each word in the title can be found in BOARDING.
Apple Die - Chelsea Thomas 7/16
10. Go swimming.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a sea or ocean on the cover. (Show cover).
The Oceanography of the Moon - Glendy Vanderah 9/4
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character goes swimming.
Change of Heart - Jude Deveraux 7/14
(they stripped and went swimming in the icy pond), p106
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the authors initials can be found in SWIM
When We Found Home - Susan Mallery 7/14
✔ 11. Play XO game.
⛱️ Read a book with an X in the title.
Blood of an Exile - Brian Naslund 11/20
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where an author's first or last name starts with O.
City of Iron and Dust - J.P. Oakes 7/23
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the letters FUN can be found in the title in any order.
Found Shadows - P.T. Hylton 7/1
12. Water gun fights.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a gun on the cover. Show the cover
The Queen Is Dead - Kate Locke 7/21
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character gets into a fight.
God Save the Queen - Kate Locke (heroine) 7/6
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that the first letter of the setting of the book can be found in BALLOON.
The Ballad of Perilous Graves - Alex Jennings (Louisiana) 7/27
13. Bury a friend in sand.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where someone is buried.
The Girl Before - Rena Olsen (Papa G) 7/21
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character takes pictures.
Emerald Blaze - Ilona Andrews (heroine) 7/9
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the first letter of each word of the title can be found in MERMAID.
Murder al Dente - Jennifer L. Hart 7/25
14. Play beach volleyball.
✔⛱️ Read a book with a ball on the cover. (Show cover and ball can be any type).
The Alpine Uproar - Mary Daheim 9/2
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the authors initials can be found in BEACH BALL.
Rule of Wolves - Leigh Bardugo 7/28
15. Limbo Dancing
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character goes dancing.
It Happened One Night - Stephanie Laurens (Nora & Richard) 7/23
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that has a competition as part of the story line.
The Price of Honor - Richard Fierce 7/31
(compete to win a dragon bond)
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the first letter of every title word can be found in LIMBO DANCE.
A Merry Life - Sarah Branson 9/2
16. Frisbee throwing.
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a dog on the cover.
Written in Stone - Ellery Adams 9/25
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character goes for a walk.
Camera Obscura - Lavie Tidhar 7/11
(I'm going for a walk), p31
✔⛱️ Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in FRISBEE.
Eighteen Below - Stefan Ahnhem (Fabian Risk) 8/28
17. Collect Seashells or Rocks
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a colorful cover.
Second Edition Death - Elizabeth Penney 7/19
✔ ⛱️ Read a book that has two different genres tagged. What are the genres?
Perfectly Matched - Heather Webber (mystery/romance/paranormal) 7/22
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the genre can be found in SEASHELL.
Heart of Steel - Meljean Brook (steampunk) 7/16
18. Indulge in Fruity Drinks
✔ ⛱️ Read a book set at a bar or where a character goes to a bar.
Tempting Acquisitions - Addison Fox (MCs) 7/5
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the word fruit can be found in the text.
Devil's Own - Veronica Wolff 7/30
(serving rumbullion and fruit to plantation women), p140
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in COCONUTS.
When Red is Black - Qiu Xiaolong (Chen Cao) 8/26
19. Have a Beach Picnic
✔ ⛱️ Read a book with a basket on the cover. Show the cover
Peach Clobbered - Anna Gerard 8/26
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where a character has a picnic.
Under Lock & Skeleton Key - Gigi Pandian (Tempest & Sanjay) 8/27
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where authors initials can be found in WICKER.
A Wrench in the Works - Kate Carlisle 7/4
20. Enjoy a Big Scoop of Ice Cream
✔ ⛱️ Read a big book. Over 300 pages.
For the Wolf - Hannah Whitten (437 pages) 7/19
✔ ⛱️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in SCOOP.
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor 12/8
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Read the Months: November, December and JanuaryDuration: November 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Level: Level 2: 15 or more
READ: 25/18
1. In the original Roman calendar, November was the ninth month of the year. It got its name from the Latin word "novem" which means nine. However, it became the eleventh month when the Romans added in January and February to the start of the year. It is the last month of the Fall season.
✔️🗓️ Read a book that was published in November of any year.
Wild Irish Soul - Tricia O'Malley (pub Nov 15, 2014) 11/23
✔️🗓️ Read a book that is set in Fall.
Thirteen Chances - Cindy Miles 11/17
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in NOVEMBER.
Iron Ember - Donna Grant (Elodie MacLean) 11/26
2. Elections are held in the United States on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The third Thursday of November is the Great American Smokeout. Smokers are encouraged by the American Cancer Society to stop smoking on this day. American football is the main sport watched in the United States during this month.
✔️🗓️ Read a book where a character smokes.
Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans (Isabelle Hix) 12/5
✔️🗓️ Read a book where a character votes for something.
A Whisker of Trouble - Sofie Ryan 12/14
(five characters vote on the color of paint to use in MCs new place)
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title can be found in FOOTBALL. (Two word minimum)
Archangel's Light - Nalini Singh 11/1
3. November is Aviation Month, American Diabetes Awareness Month, National Stamp Collecting Month and National Peanut Butter Lover's Month.
✔️🗓️ Read a book with a character who eats peanut butter.
Wild Irish Rebel - Tricia O'Malley 12/10
(she grabbed an apple and a peanut butter sandwich), p2
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in AVIATION.
Bronze Gods - A.A. Aguirre 11/24
4. December was originally the tenth month of the year in the
Roman calendar. It gets its name from the Latin word "decem" which means tenth. However, when the Romans added January and February to the calendar, it became the twelfth month. They still kept the name, though.
✔️🗓️ Read a book that is 10th in a series.
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell (Chocolate Centered Mystery #10) 12/6
✔️🗓️ Read a book with a 1 or 2 in the page count.
Buried in a Good Book - Tamara Berry (312 pages) 12/6
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in DECEMBER.
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
5. The first day of Winter is on either December 21 or 22. This is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. It is called the Winter or Southern solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the first month of winter and the last month of the year.
✔️🗓️ Read a book that it is either the first or the last in a series.
Daybreak - Cheree Alsop (Girl from the Stars #1) 11/11
✔️🗓️ Read a book published in December of any year.
Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield (pub Dec 4, 2018) 11/25
✔️🗓️ Read a short book under 150 pages.
Heat - Lisa Carlisle (124 pages) 12/30
6. National Cookie Day is December 4th. December is also National Handwashing Awareness Week and National Fruit Cake Month.
✔️🗓️Read a book where a character eats cake.
A Curse of Queens - Amanda Bouchet 11/9
(as she grabbedf a spice cake from the buffet), p60
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the first letter of each title word can be found in HANDWASHING. (Two word minimum)
Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo 11/12
7. January was named after the Roman god Janus. Janus is also the Roman word for door. The god Janus had two faces which allowed him to look forwards into the coming year and backwards into the past year.
✔️🗓️ Read a book with a door on the cover. (Show cover)
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor 12/8
✔️🗓️ Read a book with two faces on the cover. (Show cover).
Bait - Annie Nicholas 11/29
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in JANUS
Nathaniel - John Saul 11/20
8. Sometimes the Saxons called January the wolf month because hungry wolves would come into their towns searching for food this time of year.
✔️🗓️ Read a book with the word wolf in the text.
Lord of the Vampires - Gena Showalter 11/4
(a wolf with his first meal in months), p48
✔️🗓️ Read a book with food on the cover.
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
✔️🗓️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in SAXONS,
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
9. January is National Thank You Month, National Eye Care Month
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month and National Soup Month.
✔️🗓️ Read a book with the word soup in the text.
The Sculptor - Gregory Funaro 11/5
(his brain a vegetable soup), p25
✔️🗓️ Read a book with eyes on the cover. (Show cover).
Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 11/16
✔️🗓️ Read a book where a character says thank you.
Archangel's Resurrection - Nalini Singh 11/3
(thank you my young friend, she whispered), p97
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
TV/Movie Challenge - Outlander Season 1Duration: November 28, 2022 - May 31, 2023
Level: Cinephile: 12+ Tasks
READ: 25/25
Characters:
✅Claire Randall
🏰 Read a book where the MC is a nurse, doctor or healer.
Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall (heroine is a nurse) 12/16
✅Jamie Fraser
🏰 Read a book with a Scottish character or with a male MC under 30.
It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole (Styx is 26) 12/25
✅Jonathan Randall (a.k.a. Black Jack Randall)
🏰 Read a book with a villain.
Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker 12/21
✅Frank Randall
🏰 Read a book with a character that is a professor or works as a spy.
Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews (Michael) 12/20
✅Murtagh Fraser
🏰 Read a book with a loyal character.
Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross (Eva) 12/22
✅Colum MacKenzie
🏰 Read a book with a character that is ill.
Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans (heroine) 12/5
✅Dougal MacKenzie
🏰 Read a book with a character that is an uncle.
The Path of Thorns - A.G. Slatter (Luther Morwood) 11/30
✅Geillis Duncan (a.k.a. Gillian Edgars)
🏰 Read a book with a character that has an affair with a married man.
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti (Sharon Lamber) 1/5
✅Roger MacKenzie Wakefield
🏰 Read a book with a character that was adopted.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson (Imogen) 1/1
Episodes
✅Ep 101 Sassenach
While on her honeymoon, WWII combat nurse Claire Randall is mysteriously transported back to 1743 Scotland, where she is kidnapped by a group of Highlanders - and meets an injured young man named Jamie.
🏰 Read a book set during WWII OR with a character that is a Highlander OR a Series #1 .
Tinker - Wen Spencer (Elfhome #1) 12/23
✅Ep 102 Castle Leoch
Claire is taken to meet the Laird. As suspicions about her grow, Claire befriends the mysterious Geillis Duncan. When the clan discover her medical skills, Claire goes from guest to prisoner.
🏰 Read a book where the MC is a prisoner OR with a character that has medical skills OR a Series #2
Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan (Xingyin) 12/18
✅Ep 103 - The Way Out
Claire decides to use her medical skills to aid her escape from Castle Leoch - with Jamie's help, she tends to an ill child. During an evening's entertainment, a story gives Claire hope for her freedom.
🏰 Read a book with a castle in the story OR where characters are entertained (Tell us what the entertainment is) OR a Series #3 (Tell us the series name).
The Vampire Always Rises - Katie MacAlister (Drahanska Castle in Czech Republic) 11/28
✅Ep 104 - The Gathering
As the Castle prepares for The Gathering, Claire plots her escape. But after a dangerous encounter with a drunken Dougal and an unexpected run-in with Jamie, her plans are dashed.
🏰 Read a book where a gathering or house party occurs OR where a female has a "dangerous encounter" with a drunken man OR a Series #4 (Tell us the series name).
Nightingale's Gate - Linda Francis Lee (heroine) 12/24
✅Ep 105 - Rent
Claire joins the MacKenzie rent-collecting trip. To her horror, Dougal uses Jamie's scars to gain sympathy for the Jacobite cause. Claire recalls that a defining moment in Scottish history is fast approaching.
🏰 Read a book where rent is collected OR with a character that is a Jacobite OR a Series #5
The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter 12/31
✅Ep 106 - The Garrison Commander
Claire's unexpected meeting with a British general turns tense when Captain Jack Randall arrives. Claire finds herself alone with Randall - a dangerous man determined to uncover her secrets.
🏰 Read a book with a character that is in the British army OR where a female character is threatened by a dangerous man OR a Series #6 (Tell us the series name).
Bait - Annie Nicholas (heroine) 11/29
✅Ep 107 - The Wedding
Claire and Jamie are thrown together in marriage, but as their emotional and physical relationship unfolds, deeper feelings arise. Claire is ultimately torn between two men in two very different times.
🏰 Read a book where a couple gets married OR where one character loves two people OR a Series #7
Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber (MCs)12/3
✅Ep 108 - Both Sides Now
Frank desperately searches for his missing wife, while Claire tries to come to terms with her new marriage. Claire is faced with an emotional quandry as a life-altering opportunity presents itself.
🏰 Read a book where a person goes missing OR where a "life-altering opportunity presents itself" OR a Series #8
Reindeer Runes - Danielle Garrett (Jack Frost) 12/18
✅Ep 109 - The Reckoning
Jamie and the Highlanders rescue Claire from Black Jack Randall. Back at the castle, politics threaten to tear Clan MacKenzie apart and Jamie's scorned lover, Laoghaire, attempts to win him back.
🏰 Read a book where a character is rescued OR where an ex tries to win their former love back OR a Series #9
Son of Thunder - S.C. Mitchell (heroine rescues Thor) 12/21
✅Ep 110 - By The Pricking Of My Thumbs
Jamie hopes the newly arrived Duke of Sandringham will help lift the price from his head, while Claire attempts to save an abandoned child.
🏰 Read a book with a Duke in the story OR where a child is saved OR a Series #10
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell (Chocolate Centered Mystery #10) 12/6
✅Ep 111 - The Devil's Mark
Claire and Geillis are on trial for witchcraft. Jamie manages to rescue Claire, but not before she discovers a secret about Geillis's past.
🏰 Read a book with a character that is a witch OR where a secret is revealed OR a Series #11
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor (char wasn't a surrogate) 12/8
✅Ep 112 - Lallybroch
Reunited, Claire and Jamie make their way to Lallybroch - Jamie's family home. Reality quickly sets in, and old wounds are reopened between Jamie and his sister, Jenny.
🏰 Read a book with a character that has a Scottish last name OR where a brother and sister have a conflict OR a Series #12 (Tell us the series name).
My Heart Stood Still - Lynn Kurland (Iolanthe MacLeod) 12/26
✅Ep 113 - The Watch
Jamie finds himself between a rock and a hard place when a redcoat deserter from his past resurfaces. Claire tends to a laboring Jenny while Jamie and Ian join The Watch, resulting in devastating consequences.
🏰 Read a book where a child is born OR where a character joins a group or club OR a Series #13 (Tell us the series name).
Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas 1/21
✅Ep 114 - The Search
Claire and Jenny set out to rescue Jamie from his redcoat captors. When Murtagh joins up, they turn to unorthodox tactics to send word to Jamie. When word finally arrives, the news isn't what anyone had hoped.
🏰 Read a book where a character gets bad news OR a time travel novel OR a Series #14
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan (char is murdered, family is notified) 12/2
✅Ep 115 - Wentworth Prison
Jamie awaits his death sentence at Wentworth Prison, while Claire and the Highlanders search for a rescue plan. When Jamie is visited by Black Jack, he realizes there is a fate worse than death.
🏰 Read a book whose title begins with W OR where a character is sexually assaulted OR a Series #15
Wild Irish Rebel - Tricia O'Malley 12/10
✅Ep 116 - To Ransom A Man's Soul
A desperate plan manages to free Jamie, but his wounds are more than just physical. At a nearby monastery, Claire attempts to save both Jamie's heart and soul, as his mind lingers on the torture.
🏰 Read a book where a character gets freedom OR with a character that has mental wounds OR a Series #16
Opening Gambit - Tilly Wallace (heroine) 12/28
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Legend of Santa Claus 
Duration: December 1, 2022 - February 28. 2023
Level: Level 2: 13 or more.
READ: 25/13+
1. Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture,
✔🎅 Read a book with a character called Nicholas, or Kris.
A Whisker of Trouble - Sofie Ryan (Nicholas Elliot) 12/14
✔🎅 Read a book set at Christmas
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell 12/6
✔🎅 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in SAINT NICK.
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
2. Santa brings children gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve of toys and candy or coal or nothing, depending on whether they are "naughty or nice".
✔🎅 Read a book with a gift on the cover.
Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews 12/20
✔🎅 Read a book where a character eats candy.
White is the Coldest Colour - John Nicholl 1/18
(he allowed Anthony to choose a chocolate), p117
✔🎅 Read a book with a character who is considered naughty.
It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole (Ryler, outlaw biker) 12/25
3. Santa is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white-bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for children. He is commonly portrayed as laughing in a way that sounds like "ho ho ho".
✔🎅 Read a book with either a red, black or white cover.
The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter 12/31
✔🎅 Read a book with a character who has a beard.
Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall 12/16
✔🎅 Read a book that makes you laugh.
Vexatious Voodoo - Willow Mason 12/11
4. This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast also played a role in the creation of Santa's image. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books, family Christmas traditions, films, and advertising.
✔🎅 Read a book set in the 19th century.
Nightingale's Gate - Linda Francis Lee (set in 1890s) 12/24
✔🎅 Read A book where the first letter of each title word can be found in THOMAS NAST.
Son of Thunder - S.C. Mitchell 12/21
5. Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in the region of Lycia in the Roman Empire, today in Turkey. Nicholas was known for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes.
🎅 Read a book set in Greece or Turkey.
✔🎅 Read a book with a character who is poor.
Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker (Morgan) 12/21
✔🎅 Read a book with a character who has sex.
Wild Irish Rebel - Tricia O'Malley (Morgan & Patrick) 12/10
6. Father Christmas dates back as far as 16th century in England during the reign of Henry VIII, when he was pictured as a large man in green or scarlet robes lined with fur. He typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, bringing peace, joy, good food and wine and revelry. As England no longer kept the feast day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December, the Father Christmas celebration was moved to 25 December to coincide with Christmas Day
✔🎅 Read a book with food on the cover.
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
✔🎅 Read a book with the word peace in the text.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
(usher in a new era of peace), p3
✔🎅 Read a book set in England.
Opening Gambit - Tilly Wallace 12/28
7. The tradition of Santa Claus being said to enter dwellings through the chimney is shared by many European seasonal gift-givers. In pre-Christian Norse tradition, Odin would often enter through chimneys and fire holes on the solstice. In the Italian Befana tradition, the gift-giving witch is perpetually covered with soot from her trips down the chimneys of children's homes. In the tale of Saint Nicholas, the saint tossed coins through a window, and, in a later version of the tale, down a chimney when he finds the window locked. In Dutch artist Jan Steen's painting, The Feast of Saint Nicholas, adults and toddlers are glancing up a chimney with amazement on their faces while other children play with their toys. The hearth was held sacred in primitive belief as a source of beneficence, and popular belief had elves and fairies bringing gifts to the house through this portal.
✔🎅 Read a book where a character lights a fire.
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor (James) 12/8
✔🎅 Read a book with a MC who is a child.
Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim (MC is 16) 12/30
✔🎅 Read a book with a window on the cover.
Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes - Michelle M. Pillow 12/9
8. Santa Claus's home is traditionally said to include a residence and a workshop where he is said to create often with the aid of elves the gifts delivers. Some stories and legends include a village, inhabited by his helpers, surrounding his home and shop.
✔🎅 Read a book where a character has a workshop.
Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber (hero is a swordsmith) 12/3
✔🎅 Read a book with an elf in the story or on the cover.
Reindeer Runes - Danielle Garrett (Santa's elves) 12/18
✔🎅 Read a book about a legend.
Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan 12/18
09. In North American tradition Santa is said to live at the North Pole, which according to Canada Post lies within Canadian jurisdiction in postal code H0H 0H, although postal codes starting with H are usually reserved for the island of Montréal in Québec. On 23 December 2008, Jason Kenney, Canada's minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, formally awarded Canadian citizenship status to Santa Claus.
✔🎅 Read a book with a character who is an immigrant.
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
(hero moves from Scotland to America)
✔🎅 Read a book where the first letter of the location can be found in JASON KENNEY.
Gingerbread - Kate Morris (Ohio) 12/4
✔🎅 Read a book set on an island.
Circus of the Dead, Book One - Kimberly Loth 12/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
New Years CelebrationsDuration: January 1 - March 31, 2023
Level: Level 2 - 11 or more tasks.
READ: 22/11+
1. Brazil: Heading to the beach
✔️🥳 Read a book with a white cover.
Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas 1/21
✔️🥳 Read a book set in a beach town.
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery (Rehoboth Beach, DE) 2/19
✔️🥳 Read a book that is seventh in a series.
Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor (Chronicles of St. Mary's #7) 2/22
2. Spain: Eating grapes.
✔️🥳 Read a book where a character eats grapes.
No Time Like the Past - Jodi Taylor 1/7
(scarfing down my grapes), p219
✔️🥳 Read a book with a clock on the cover.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in MIDNIGHT.
Three Parts Dead - Max Gladstone 2/8
3. India: Building a sculpture of an old man and burning it down.
✔️🥳 Read a book where a character lights a fire.
Forging Silver into Stars - Brigid Kemmerer 1/11
(I strip my horse of her gear and start a fire), p440
✔️🥳 Read a book with a character who is an old man.
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson (Gladias) 1/1
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's first name starts with a letter in AULD LANG SYNE.
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
4. United States: Watching the ball drop
✔️🥳 Read a book with a ball on the cover.
Silver Spells - Kate Moseman 2/8
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in TIMES SQUARE.
The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
5. Japan: Eating soba noodles.
✔️🥳 Read a book where someone eats noodles.
Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
(I dip my chopsticks in and expertly scoop noodles), p223
✔️🥳 Read a book where something gets broken.
Shattered Souls - Delilah Devlin (tubes and slides) 1/13
✔️🥳 Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in KAMAKURA.
Death by the Finish Line - Alexis Morgan (Abby McCree) 1/26
7. Haiti: Sharing soup joumou.
✔️🥳 Read a book where a person eats soup.
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
(he returned carrying a large pot of tomato soup), p174
✔️🥳 Read a book with a pumpkin on the cover
Candy Corn Murder - Leslie Meier 2/9
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in JOUMOU.
Better Late Than Never - Jenn McKinlay 2/5
8. Colombia: Placing three potatoes under the bed
✔️🥳 Read a boo where the author's initials can be found in POTATOES.
The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
9. Mexico: Giving the gift of homemade tamales
✔️🥳 Read a book where a character eats tamales.
Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton 2/21
(the waitress brought a large platter of tamales), p192
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in HOMEMADE.
Psychic Dreams - Elizabeth Hunter 1/18
10. Canada: Going ice fishing
✔️🥳 Read a book where a character goes fishing.
Fatal Catch - Pauline Rowson (Clive and Lesley) 1/6
✔️🥳 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in FREEZING
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti 1/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Supernatural Duration: October 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023
The Basics
✔️1.
✔ 👿 Read a book tagged fantasy.
From the Shadows - McKenzie Burns 10/25
✔ 👿 Read a book set in Canada.
The Lionman Kidnapping - Eve Langlais 10/22
✔ 👿 Read a book published in September of any year.
Generation 18 - Keri Arthur (pub Sep 22, 2004) 10/20
✔️2.
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character has a best friend.
Consumed - Rebecca Zanetti (MC) 10/18
✔ 👿 Read a book with a character called Sam, Dean, or Mary.
Digging Up the Remains - Julia Henry (Mary Mancini) 10/7
✔ 👿 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in SUPERNATURAL.
A Nurse for the Wolfman - Eve Langlais 10/10
✔️3.
✔👿 Read a book where a character's mother has died.
Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan (hero's) 12/18
✔ 👿 Read a book tagged mystery.
A Rumor Of Bones - Beverly Connor 10/11
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character follows in their parents footsteps. (Your interpretation).
Unforeseen Danger - G.K. Parks (heroine a cop like her father) 10/7
Quotes form Sam Winchester
✔️4. "I’ve got demon blood in me, Dean. This disease is pumping through my veins, and I can’t ever rip it out or scrub it clean. I’m a whole new level of freak! And I’m just trying to take this — this curse… and make something good out of it. Because I have to.”
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character has a disease.
Guarding the Mermaid - Eve Langlais (heroine has cancer) 10/15
✔ 👿 Read a book with the word blood in the text.
Forgotten in Death - J.D. Robb 10/5
(maybe the blood trail gave him a clue), p2
✔ 👿 Read a book where the main character's initials can be found in CURSE.
Thirteen Chances - Cindy Miles (Emma Calhoun) 11/17
✔️5. "Check the freezer. Maybe there are some human hearts behind the Häagen-Dazs or something.”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a heart on the cover. (Show cover)
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery 2/19
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character eats ice cream.
Sweet Spot - Susan Mallery 10/7
(Nicole sat curled up on the sofa eating ice cream), p344
✔ 👿 Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title can be found in HAAGEN DAZS.
Highlander's Desire - Joanne Wadsworth 10/25
✔️6. "There’s a lot of folklore about mirrors — that they reveal all your lies, all your secrets, that they’re a true reflection of your soul, which is why it’s bad luck to break them.”
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character has a secret.
The Body in the Bonfire - Katherine Hall Page (school secretary) 10/27
✔ 👿 Read a book where the MC has bad luck.
The Undead Mr. Tenpenny - Tammie Painter (MC) 11/19
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character lies.
The Guilty Couple - C.L. Taylor (husband) 10/19
✔️7. "No drinking, no gambling, no premarital sex. Dean, they basically just outlawed 90 percent of your personality.”
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character goes out drinking.
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover - Sarah MacLean (hero) 10/30
✔ 👿 Read a book with the number 9 and 0 in the number of pages.
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon (902 pages) 1/27
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character has sex.
Relentless in a Kilt - Anna Durand 10/14
✔️8. "You’re a hypocrite, Dean. How did you feel when Dad sold his soul for you? ‘Cause I was there. I remember. You were twisted and broken. And now you go and do the same thing… to me. What you did was selfish.”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a character who is a father.
Wired In - Toby Neal (Francis Smithson) 10/16
✔ 👿 Read a book with a selfish character.
Thistlefoot - GennaRose Nethercott (Isaac) 10/10
✔ 👿 Read a book where something or someone is broken.
Archangel's Light - Nalini Singh (Aodhan) 11/1
Quotes from Dean Winchester
✔️9. "My name is Dean Winchester. I’m an Aquarius. I enjoy sunsets, long walks on the beach, and frisky women. And I did not kill anyone."
✔ 👿 Read a book with a sunset on the cover. (Show cover.)
Luck and Last Resorts - Sarah Grunder Ruiz 2/7
✔ 👿 Read a book with a character who is wrongly accused of a crime.
Gone with the Twins - Kylie Logan 11/5
✔ 👿 Read a book published in either January or February.
Annabel Lee - Mike Nappa (pub February 2016) 10/24
✔️10. "We going to fight or make out, ’cause I’m getting some real mixed signals here.”
✔ 👿 Read a book where there is a fight.
Where Darkness Lies - Bella Jewel 11/7
✔ 👿 Read a book where two characters make out.
Moon Dancer - Aimee Easterling(Olivia & Claw) 11/10
✔ 👿 Read a book that the author's initials can be found in MIXED SIGNALS.
Owls Well That Ends Well - Donna Andrews 10/26
✔️11. "Boy, three bedrooms, two baths, and one homicide. This place is gonna sell like hotcakes.”
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character takes a bath.
A Haunting Dream - Jim & Joyce Lavene 10/9
(I soaked in a hot bath), p43
✔ 👿 Read a book with a homicide in it.
Victim 2117 - Jussi Adler-Olsen 10/8
✔ 👿 Read a book that is third in a series.
Ice Blue - Anne Stuart (Ice #3) 10/29
✔️12. "C’mon, we hunt monsters! What the hell? I mean, normal people, they see a monster and they run. But not us, no no no, we… we search out things that want to kill us! Yeah, huh? Or eat us! You know who does that? Crazy people!”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a character who is a monster in it.
A Chimera's Revenge - Eve Langlais 11/1
(MC is a mad scientist who tortures & experiments on humans)
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character hunts for something.
The Starless Crown - James Rollins 10/14
(villain hunts for a bronze statue)
✔ 👿 Read a book where there is an attempt of someone's life.
Capturing a Unicorn - Eve Langlais (heroine's) 11/4
✔️13. “If this is my last day on earth, I do not want it to be socially awkward.”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a socially awkward character.
Save Me - Molly Black (Zach and Kyle) 10/20
✔ 👿 Read a book that is the last in a series.
The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
✔ 👿 Read a book where the MC's initials can be found in EARTH.
Why She Lied - H.K. Christie (August Hirsch) 11/13
✔️14. “You’re gonna wipe out a whole town for one little witch. Sounds to me like you’re compensating for something.”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a witch in it.
Cutthroat Cupcakes - Cate Lawley (MC) 10/23
✔ 👿 Read a book set in a small town.
The Sweet Smell of Murder - Cindy Bell 10/25
✔ 👿 Read a book that is little. (Less that 200 pages).
Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans (194 pages) 12/5
Quotes from Castiel
✔️15. "I'm The One Who Gripped You Tight & Raised You From Perdition." the first words we hear from this character."
✔ 👿 Read the first in a series.
Lord of the Vampires - Gena Showalter (Royal House of Shadows #1) 11/4
✔ 👿 Read a book with a couple hugging on the cover. (Show cover)
Hit Me with Your Best Scot - Suzanne Enoch 11/10
✔ 👿 Read a book where the MC initials can be found in PERDITION.
Dangerous Stakes - G.K. Parks (Olivia DeMarco) 10/2
✔️16. "I’ll interrogate the cat.”
✔ 👿 Read a book with a cat on the cover.
Murder Walks the Plank - Carolyn G. Hart 10/17
✔ 👿 Read a book with cat in the text.
A Night's Tail - Sofie Kelly 10/15
(I rolled my eyes at the cat), p28
✔ 👿 Read a book where a character is interrogated
The Disappeared - Kristina Ohlsson 11/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Hoarfrost Spell Out Duration: January 15 - June 14, 2023
READ: 9/9
✔ H: Half-Blood - Jennifer Armentrout 2/25
✔ O: The One You Love - Paul Pilkington 1/29
✔ A: The Avid Angler: The Hot Dog Detective - Mathiya Adams 2/27
✔ R: Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
✔ F: Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton 2/21
✔ R: River of Darkness - Rennie Airth 2/20
✔ O: Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
✔ S: Silver Spells - Kate Moseman 2/8
✔ T: Tortured Dreams - Hadena James 1/31
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Musician George MichaelDuration: January 15, 2023- March 14, 2023
Level: Freedom: 11-15 tasks
READ: 29/11+
🎼 On June 25, 1963, Georgios Kyriakou Panayiotou was born in London. He was the son of a Greek Cypriot restaurateur and the youngest of three siblings. As a boy, he dreamed of becoming a pilot, but his myopia and color blindness rendered that impossible. When he was seven, he received a tape recorder as a gift. He started experimenting with Motown records and a phonograph and decided he wanted to be a recording artist.
✔ 1. Read a book that was published in June of any year
Buffalo Jump Blues - Keith McCafferty (pub June 28, 2016) 2/16
✔ 3. Read a book that takes place in England
Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas 1/21
✔ 5. Read a book that has siblings
The Heretic Royal - G.A. Aiken (heroine has many siblings) 1/25
✔ 8. Read a book where a character has a dream
The Pearl Savage - Tamara Rose Blodgett 2/13
✔ 9. Read a book with a 7 in the page count
Never Fade - Alexandra Bracken (507 pages) 2/2
✔ 10. Read a book where someone receives a gift.
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan (MC gets an Adirondack chair) 1/19
🎼 In his early teen years, his family moved to a more affluent suburb and that is where Michael met Andrew Ridgeley, who would later be his partner in Wham! At the time, Ridgeley was popular, stylish, and attractive. Michaels was shy and overweight. Unlikely as it seems, the two became friends and started recording songs together. Michael’s parents wanted him to have a “respectable” career like law or medicine, but Michael stuck to it and dropped out of school at 16 with Ridgeley to start working on their musical dream. By 1982, the pair had won a contract with Innervision Records.
✔ 11. Read a book with a character that is a musician
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery (hero) 2/19
✔ 12. Read a book tagged Music.
XOXO - Axie Oh 3/1
✔ 13. Read a book with a character that is a teen
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night - Amélie Wen Zhao 1/28
✔ 15. Read a book where a character drops out of school
Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery (MC, college) 2/10
✔ 16. Read a book where a character is shy or overweight
Wind Daughter - Joanna Ruth Meyer (MC Satu) 2/19
✔ 17. Read a book with an unlikely pairing (you decide).
Scottish Werebear: Books 1-3 - Lorelei Moone 1/17
(hero is a brown bear, heroine is a wolf)
🎼 It was at this time that Michael changed his name to the less complicated George Michael. The duo took their name from a Michael Jackson song “Wham! Rap (Enjoy What You Do),” and they released their first album, Fantastic, which reached number four on the British Charts. The next album, Make It Big, helped launch their name in the United States, especially with the hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”. Their style, both aesthetically and musically, varied from their first album to their second. Wham! released another album in 1985 and toured China, the first Western group to do so. In 1986, shaken by ending of a long-term romantic relationship, Michael decided to end Wham! at the peak of their popularity.
✔ 18. Read a book by an author with their first or last name starting with a G or M
Live To Tell - Lisa Gardner 1/20
✔ 19. Read a book where a character has an alias or nickname.
Murder at St Margaret - Lynn Morrison (Harriet, Harry) 2/15
✔ 20. Read a book that has punctuation in the title
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔ 21. Read a book that has the word “Wham” in it.
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
(and Wham, I backed into the car behind me), ch24
✔ 22. Read a book where a character ends something.
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn (heroine her engagement) 1/3
✔ 23. Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in FANTASTIC (all letters count)
The One You Love - Paul Pilkington 1/29
✔ 24. Read a book with a character that is woken up by another character.
Tortured Dreams - Hadena James (heroine awoken by her boss) 1/31
✔ 26. Read a book with over 1,985 ratings. Tell us the ratings.
California Girls - Susan Mallery (10,024 ratings)1/31
🎼 In an effort to erase his teenybopper image, Michael recorded “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with Aretha Franklin in 1987. The same year, he released his first solo album, Faith, which went to the number one position. Even though many radio stations refused to play it, or only played it during late hours, the controversial song, “I Want Your Sex” became a number two hit. His next solo album, Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. I was released in 1990 and included the single “Freedom.” Two years later, Michael appeared at the Concert for Life, an AIDS awareness benefit and tribute to the recently deceased Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury.
✔ 27. Read a standalone book
Hokuloa Road - Elizabeth Hand 2/27
✔ 28. Read a book with “faith”
Three Parts Dead - Max Gladstone 2/8
✔ 30. Read a book where someone experiences freedom
The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 1/15
(MCs escape from a camp where they were held prisoners by the government)
✔ 31. Read a book that was published or takes place in the 1990s.
River of Darkness - Rennie Airth (pub 1999) 2/20
🎼 The rest of the 90s, Michael was involved in legal issues with his contract; afterwards, produced two more albums, including an album of covers. In 2003, after a hiatus, Michael released another solo album, Patience, which included a song that referenced his lover, Kenny Goss. In the 2000s, Michael faced some other legal trouble, including drug arrests and crashing his car into a building. Michael passed away in 2016 at the age of 53 from heart failure. Michael has been described as someone who “unabashedly championed pop music” at a time when many people had abandoned the form. His ambition, talent and drive helped him win numerous awards and become a global figure.
✔ 32. Read a book with an LGBTQ+ character or tagged LGBTQ+
Lavender House - Lev A.C. Rosen 1/21
✔ 33. Read a book where a character has patience
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
(hero has the patience of a saint, really he does)
✔ 35. Read a book where a character dies
White is the Coldest Colour - John Nicholl 1/18
✔ 38. Read a book where a character wins an award
If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang (heroine, top of class) 2/1
✔ 39. Read a book where a character champions something (you decide).
Saved by a Dragon - Lauren Lively 2/24
(hero champions humans against demons)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Romantic IntrigueDuration: September 1 - February 28, 2023
Level: Romantic Suspense 26 or more
READ: 49/26+
Part 1: Tasks
💋 Read 5 books tagged Romance
1. Storm Echo - Nalini Singh 9/4
2. The Kraken King - Meljean Brook 9/6
3. I Want Candy - Susan Donovan 9/11
4. Ruby Fever - Ilona Andrews 9/22
5. Dark Legacy - Christine Feehan 9/24
💋 Read 5 books tagged Mystery/Crime
1. The Alpine Uproar - Mary Daheim 9/2
2. Girl One: Murder - Molly Black 9/8
3. And Then You Dye - Monica Ferris 9/9
4. The Doctor of Thessaly - Anne Zouroudi 9/11
5. The Killing Game - Kate Bold 9/22
💋 Read 5 Books tagged Romance and Mystery.
1. The Oceanography of the Moon - Glendy Vanderah 9/4
2. Whiteout - Adriana Anders 9/10
3. A Stitch in Time - Kelley Armstrong 9/29
4. A Gift of Ghosts - Sarah Wynde 10/28
5. Ice Blue - Anne Stuart 10/29
Part 2: Spellout - Title / Author / Series / MC
💋Romance
R: Dance with the Devil - Kit Rocha 9/8
O: One of Us Is Dead - Jeneva Rose 9/16
M: A Merry Life - Sarah Branson 9/2
A: Victim 2117 - Jussi Adler-Olsen 10/8
N: Navigating the Storm - Sarah Branson 9/15
C: Children of the Night - Zan Safra 9/3
E: Written in Stone - Ellery Adams 9/25
💋Intrigue
I: Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 11/16
N: Bon Bon Voyage - Nancy Fairbanks 9/26
T: Wild Irish Eyes - Tricia O'Malley 9/25
R: Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault - Candace Robinson 9/13
I: Iron Ember - Donna Grant 11/26
G: Gone with the Twins - Kylie Logan 11/5
U: Unforeseen Danger - G.K. Parks 10/7
E: Marked for Life - Emelie Schepp 9/28
💋Mystery
M: 22 Seconds - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 9/30
Y: I Remember You - Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 9/30
S: The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon 9/21
T: Tattooed - Pamela Callow 11/11
E: Leech - Hiron Ennes 10/1
R: Kathmandu - Luke Richardson 9/15
Y: [Isaac Yaga] Thistlefoot - GennaRose Nethercott 10/10
💋Crime
C: Cursed - Lynn C. Ricci 10/15
R: Bride of Glass - Candace Robinson 9/17
I: It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole 12/25
M: The Midnight Library - Matt Haig 10/1
E: A Nurse for the Wolfman - Eve Langlais 10/10
💋Love
L: Long Live the Queen - Kate Locke 9/10
O: Of Claws and Fangs - Faith Hunter 9/16
V: The Vineyard Victims - Ellen Crosby 9/26
E: The Lionman Kidnapping - Eve Langlais 10/22
Part 3: Scavenger Hunt - find on cover of book
💋Knife - Killer, Paper, Cut - Joanna Campbell Slan 11/22
💋Heart - Music Man - K.L. Montgomery 2/19
💋Gun - Daybreak - Cheree Alsop 11/11
💋Couple embracing - Hit Me with Your Best Scot - Suzanne Enoch 11/10
Ring -
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Words in a Word Game #21 - Pom Drinks The page count scoring is only for the tests. Classes are a flat 5 points per completed task.
Duration: February 15 - May 14, 2023
Level 3: 21-30 books
TITLE: BELMONT JEWEL - FOR THE RECORD - SAINTS AND STRANGERS
READ: 30/30
1. [SECRET] The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
2. [LAST] The Last Beekeeper - Rebecca L. Fearnley 2/17
3. [MOON] Moon Craving - Lucy Monroe 2/18
4. [FINAL] Final Lap - Erin McCarthy 2/21
5. [LOST] Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton 2/21
6. [DAMNED] Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor 2/22
7. [DRAGON] Saved by a Dragon - Lauren Lively 2/24
8. [TIME] Just in Time for a Highlander - Gwyn Cready 2/24
9. [HALF] Half-Blood - Jennifer Armentrout 2/25
10. [NIGHT] The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon 2/26
11. [ANGLER] The Avid Angler: The Hot Dog Detective - Mathiya Adams 2/27
12. [THIEF] The Watermight Thief - Jordan Rivet 2/27
13. [ROAD] Hokuloa Road - Elizabeth Hand 2/27
14. [RISES] A Dark Queen Rises - Ashok K. Banker 3/3
15. [SABER] Saber Tooth - Lou Cadle 3/4
16. [AMINA] The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
17. [BOOGIE] Boogie Beach - Winnie Winkle 3/6
18. [GOLD] Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton 3/7
19. [ISLAND] Island of the Lost - Joan Druett 3/8
20. [SWEET] Sweet Wild of Mine - Laurel Kerr 3/9
21. [CROSSING] The Crossing - Kathryn Lasky 3/10
22. [STILL] Still Alive - Ava Strong 3/12
23. [TOOTH] Moment of Tooth - Lindsay Buroker 3/12
24. [CLOSE] Close Your Eyes - Iris & Roy Johansen 3/13
25. [WANTED] Wanted by the Werewolf Prince - Kara Lockharte 3/14
26. [HINT] A Hint of Heather - Rebecca Hagan Lee 3/17
27. [WIFE] The Perfect Wife - Blake Pierce 3/17
28. [EARTH] Earth Spells Are Easy - Renee George 3/19
29. [GONDOLA] Dead and Gondola - Ann Claire 3/25
30. [CHILD] The Forgotten Child - Melissa Erin Jackson 3/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Musician: AaliyahDuration: March 15 - May 14, 2023
Level: Aaliyah: 11-15 tasks
READ: 15/15
✔ 1. Read a book that was published in January of any year OR Read a book that was published or takes place in the 1970s OR Read a book that takes place in New York.
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera 4/12
✔ 2. Read a book that involves a princess or a queen OR Read a book with the letters A, D & H in the title (any order) OR Read a book that takes place in Detroit, Michigan.
A Dark Queen Rises - Ashok K. Banker 3/3
✔ 3. Read a book where a character helps change or revolutionize something (you decide) OR Read a book where a character has a nickname.
Caught in the Flames - Kacey Shea (Chase is called Hugh) 4/29
✔ 4. Read a book with a character that is a musician OR Read a book tagged Music.
Fall For Me - Ann Lister (hero is a rock star) 4/5
✔ 5. Read a book with a character that is a child OR Read a book that involves family.
An Unthinkable Thing - Nicole Lundrigan 4/30
✔ 6. Read a book where a wedding or a church or charity event occurs OR Read a book with pets (any kind) OR Read a book with a celebrity (fictional or nonfiction).
Salty Cowboy - Elana Johnson 4/4
✔ 7. Read a book where a character auditions for something OR Read a book that takes place in Italy OR Read a book that is a debut.
Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
✔ 8. Read a book with a character that is a teenager OR Read a book that has more than 38,000 reviews. Tell us the number.
Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo (MC is 16) 4/1
✔ 9. Read a book with a number on the cover or in the title OR Read a book with characters that are brothers OR Read a book where a character goes “back and forth.” You decide.
Grumpy Cowboy - Elana Johnson (3 brothers in story) 3/29
✔ 10. Read a book with the ocean or water on the cover OR Read a book with more than a million ratings on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... OR Read a book from page one of your TBR list.
The Rapids - Carla Neggers 4/15
✔ 11. Read a book that is also a movie OR Read a book where a character doesn’t know another character is hiding something from her.
If I Stay - Gayle Forman 3/29
✔ 12. Read a book where a character graduates from high school OR Read a book with a character that is a police officer.
The Laughing Policeman - Elizabeth J. Brown 4/3
✔ 13. Read a book with a character that is a vampire OR Read a book tagged paranormal OR Read a book with a Q & and A in the title (in any order).
Dark Illusion - Christine Feehan (hero) 4/25
✔ 14. Read a book with a boat or an airplane on the cover or in the story OR Read a book where a character dies unexpectedly OR Read a book that has won awards.
Burning Bright - Melissa McShane 4/18
✔ 15. Read a book that has a 2, 0, 0, or 1 in the page count OR Read a book where the MC is in their early 20s OR Read a book that the first letter of each word in the title can be found in AALIYAH (two word minimum).
The Cabinet of Dr. Leng - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (400 pages) 4/28
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Blue Curacao Cocktails Spell OutStart Date: July 29, 2022
End Date: March 29, 2023
READ: 203/203
Cocktails: 15/15
✅1. Adios MF
A: After She Left - Claire Amarti 8/5
D: Wicked - Jana Deleon 8/13
I: The Ice Lion - Kathleen O'Neal Gear 8/6
O: Operation Tropical Affair - Kimberli A. Bindschatel 8/4
S: Stiff Arm Steal - A.J. Stewart 8/4
M: Mind over Magic - Lindsay Buroker 8/9
F: Dark Legacy - Christine Feehan 9/24
✅2. Aqua Velva
A: The Alpine Uproar - Mary Daheim 9/2
Q: Quinsey Wolfe's Glass Vault - Candace Robinson 9/13
U: Uncharted - Adriana Anders 8/15
A: And Then You Dye - Monica Ferris 9/9
V: The Oceanography of the Moon - Glendy Vanderah 9/4
E: Eighteen Below - Stefan Ahnhem 8/28
L: My Sister Rosa - Justine Larbalestier 8/11
V: The Vineyard Victims - Ellen Crosby 9/26
A: Whiteout - Adriana Anders 9/10
✅3. Blue Hawaiian
B: Spell Hound - Lindsay Buroker 8/19
L: Long Shot - Hanna Martine 8/21
U: Under Lock & Skeleton Key - Gigi Pandian 8/27
E: Written in Stone - Ellery Adams 9/25
H: The Midnight Library - Matt Haig 10/1
A: The Doctor of Thessaly - Anne Zouroudi 9/11
W: The Three Witches of Burberry - K.M. Waller 10/2
A: Peach Clobbered - Anna Gerard 8/26
I: I Want Candy - Susan Donovan 9/11
I: Ruby Fever - Ilona Andrews 9/22
A: A Stitch in Time - Kelley Armstrong 9/29
N: Night Shift Witch - Cate Lawley 8/27
✅4. Blue Hurricane Drink
B: Bad Boys In Black Tie - Lori Foster 8/23
L: Lowcountry Bombshell - Susan M. Boyer 8/30
U: Unforeseen Danger - G.K. Parks 10/7
E: Marked for Life - Emelie Schepp 9/28
H: Digging Up the Remains - Julia Henry 10/7
U: The Undead Mr. Tenpenny - Tammie Painter 11/19
R: The Return - D.B. Reynolds 8/3
R: Red Handed - Gena Showalter 8/12
I: Ice Blue - Anne Stuart 10/29
C: A Rumor Of Bones - Beverly Connor 10/11
A: Generation 18 - Keri Arthur 10/20
N: Storm Echo - Nalini Singh 9/4
E: Leech - Hiron Ennes 10/1
D: Dangerous Stakes - G.K. Parks 10/2
R: Dance with the Devil - Kit Rocha 9/8
I: Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 11/16
N: Storm Echo - Nalini Singh 9/4
K: [Kat Wallace] A Merry Life - Sarah Branson 9/2
✅5. Blue Kamikaze
B: Blacklisted - Gena Showalter 8/31
L: Long Live the Queen - Kate Locke 9/10
U: The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter 12/31
E: A Nurse for the Wolfman - Eve Langlais 10/10
K: The Kraken King - Meljean Brook 9/6
A: Annabel Lee - Mike Nappa 10/24
M: Murder in G Major - Alexia Gordon 8/21
I: Iron Ember - Donna Grant 11/26
K: The Killing Game - Kate Bold 9/22
A: Wolf Dreams - Aimee Easterling 10/27
Z: Children of the Night - Zan Safra 9/3
E: Guarding the Mermaid - Eve Langlais 10/15
✅6. Blue Lagoon Cocktail
B: A Merry Life - Sarah Branson 9/2
L: Kathmandu - Luke Richardson 9/15
U: [Underground Encounters #5] Heat - Lisa Carlisle 12/30
E: The Lionman Kidnapping - Eve Langlais 10/22
L: The Language of Silence - Peggy Webb 9/18
A: Deep Sea Dead - Lori Avocato 10/30
G: Ghost Gone Wild - Carolyn G. Hart 8/20
O: Stroke of Midnight - Olivia Drake 8/24
O: One of Us Is Dead - Jeneva Rose 9/16
N: Navigating the Storm - Sarah Branson 9/15
C: Cursed - Lynn C. Ricci 10/15
O: Of Claws and Fangs - Faith Hunter 9/16
C: Murder Walks the Plank - Carolyn G. Hart 10/17
K: Green Eyed Envy - Kasey MacKenzie 10/17
T: A Treacherous Tasty Trail - Cindy Bell 8/22
A: Archangel's Light - Nalini Singh 11/1
I: It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole 12/25
L: Hong Kong - Luke Richardson 9/19
✅7. Blue Margarita
B: Girl One: Murder - Molly Black 9/8
L: Leave No Trace - Mindy Mejia 10/3
U: The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
E: A Chimera's Revenge - Eve Langlais 11/1
M: The Bone Orchard - Sara A. Mueller 9/23
A: Archangel's Resurrection - Nalini Singh 11/3
R: Bride of Glass - Candace Robinson 9/17
G: Who's Dead, Doc? - J.M. Griffin 8/25
A: A Curse of Queens - Amanda Bouchet 11/9
R: Forgotten in Death - J.D. Robb 10/5
I: [Irene Lamontaine] Lavender House - Lev A.C. Rosen 1/21
T: The Taint of Midas - Anne Zouroudi 9/29
A: Daybreak - Cheree Alsop 11/11
✅8. Blue Martini
B: The Black Phone - Joe Hill 10/8
L: A Haunting Dream - Jim & Joyce Lavene 10/9
U: The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
E: Capturing a Unicorn - Eve Langlais 11/4
M: 22 Seconds - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 9/30
A: Bronze Gods - A.A. Aguirre 11/24
R: Ravenfall - Kalyn Josephson 10/13
T: Thistlefoot - GennaRose Nethercott 10/10
I: [Imogen Banks] Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson 1/1
N: Bon Bon Voyage - Nancy Fairbanks 9/26
I: If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang 2/1
continued...✅9. Blue Monday
B: Save Me - Molly Black 10/20
L: Cutthroat Cupcakes - Cate Lawley 10/23
U: Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
E: Hit Me with Your Best Scot - Suzanne Enoch 11/10
M: Murder Most Grave - G.A. McKevett 10/31
O: Wild Irish Eyes - Tricia O'Malley 9/25
N: A Night's Tail - Sofie Kelly 10/15
D: Geared for the Grave - Duffy Brown 10/21
A: Moon Dancer - Aimee Easterling 11/10
Y: Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans 12/5
✅10. Corpse Reviver No. Blue
C: Consumed - Rebecca Zanetti 10/18
O: Owls Well That Ends Well - Donna Andrews 10/26
R: Relentless in a Kilt - Anna Durand 10/14
P: The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon 9/21
S: The Sweet Smell of Murder - Cindy Bell 10/25
E: This Same Earth - Elizabeth Hunter 11/21
R: The Starless Crown - James Rollins 10/14
E: Too Hot To Touch - Louisa Edwards 11/27
V: Victim 2117 - Jussi Adler-Olsen 10/8
I: [Incryptid #8] That Ain’t Witchcraft - Seanan McGuire 2/4
V: Bad Boys Do - Victoria Dahl 10/28
E: The Sunken City - Emma V.R. Noyes 12/27
R: A Whisker of Trouble - Sofie Ryan 12/14
N: Wired In - Toby Neal 10/16
O: One Good Earl Deserves a Lover - Sarah MacLean 10/30
B: When Demons Walk - Patricia Briggs 10/22
L: Lord of the Vampires - Gena Showalter 11/4
U: [Underground Encounters #6] Blaze - Lisa Carlisle 1/13
E: Stolen Fury - Elisabeth Naughton 12/11
✅11. Dead Parrot Colada
D: The Darkest Day - Britt Bury 11/14
E: Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim 12/30
A: Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber 12/3
D: Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
P: The Man Burned by Winter - Pete Zacharias 10/6
A: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
R: Reindeer Runes - Danielle Garrett 12/18
R: Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
O: The Disappeared - Kristina Ohlsson 11/6
T: The Guilty Couple - C.L. Taylor 10/19
C: City of Dark Magic - Magnus Flyte 11/7
O: Wild Irish Soul - Tricia O'Malley 11/23
L: Gone with the Twins - Kylie Logan 11/5
A: Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber 12/3
D: The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 1/15
A: Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews 12/20
✅12. Fishbowl Drink
F: From the Shadows - McKenzie Burns 10/25
I: Iron Ember - Donna Grant 11/26
S: The Shadow in the North - Philip Pullman 10/29
H: Highlander's Desire - Joanne Wadsworth 10/25
B: The Body in the Bonfire - Katherine Hall Page 10/27
O: Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield 11/25
W: Where Darkness Lies - Bella Jewel 11/7
L: Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo 11/12
D: A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
R: Fatal Catch - Pauline Rowson 1/6
I: [Irish Village Mystery #3] Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
N: Nathaniel - John Saul 11/20
K: Gingerbread - Kate Morris 12/4
✅13. Jellyfish Shot
J: Killer, Paper, Cut - Joanna Campbell Slan 11/22
E: The Crow Girl - Erik Axl Sund 12/30
L: The Forgotten House on the Moor - Jane Lovering 11/26
L: Sign Here - Claudia Lux 12/12
Y: The Gates of Evangeline - Hester Young 12/7
F: Blood Born - Kathryn Fox 10/23
I: Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World - Joan Druett 3/8
S: Sweet Spot - Susan Mallery 10/7
H: Pumpkin Pies & Potions - Polly Holmes 11/18
S: The Sculptor - Gregory Funaro 11/5
H: A Witch Too Late - Paula Lester & M.E. Harmon 11/27
O: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
T: Tattooed - Pamela Callow 11/11
✅14. Sea Witch Cocktail
S: The Path of Thorns - A.G. Slatter 11/30
E: [Elfhome #1] Tinker - Wen Spencer 12/23
A: Bait - Annie Nicholas 11/29
W: A Gift of Ghosts - Sarah Wynde 10/28
I: Close Your Eyes - Iris & Roy Johansen 3/13
T: Thirteen Chances - Cindy Miles 11/17
C: Why She Lied - H.K. Christie 11/13
H: The Gates of Evangeline - Hester Young 12/7
C: Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
O: Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor 12/8
C: Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell 12/6
K: Midnight in Everwood - Maria Kuzniar 12/17
T: By Their Cold Fingers - Timothy Brian 12/1
A: Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker 12/21
I: It takes an Oni - Scott Rhine 3/16
L: Circus of the Dead, Book One - Kimberly Loth 12/10
✅15. Sex in the Driveway
S: A Holly Jolly Diwali - Sonya Lalli 12/17
E: The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
X: When Red is Black - Qiu Xiaolong 8/26
I: A Sudden Crush - Camilla Isley 3/23
N: Blood of an Exile - Brian Naslund 11/20
T: By Their Cold Fingers - Timothy Brian 12/1
H: Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan 12/18
E: Psychic Dreams - Elizabeth Hunter 1/18
D: Shattered Souls - Delilah Devlin 1/13
R: Raphael - D.B. Reynolds 1/16
I: If I Stay - Gayle Forman 3/29
V: The Vampire Always Rises - Katie MacAlister 11/28
E: [Emma Holden #1] The One You Love - Paul Pilkington 1/29
W: Selective Spells - Willow Mason 12/9
A: Death by the Finish Line - Alexis Morgan 1/26
Y: Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans 12/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Thanksgiving TriviaDuration: November 1, 2022 - October 31, 2023
Level: Level Three: 25+ facts
READ: 28/25+
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621.
✔️🦃 1. Read a book with TWO of these numbers (1621) in the publication year.
Hit Me with Your Best Scot - Suzanne Enoch (pub Feb 9, 2021) 11/10
This harvest feast was shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.
✔️🦃 2. Read a book with an English immigrant to the US or with a Native American character.
Buffalo Jump Blues - Keith McCafferty (hero) 2/16
The Wampanoag contributed venison to the feast, which included the fowl (probably geese and ducks) and probably fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables, and beer.
✔️🦃 3. Read a book where the characters have a potluck meal.
Tinker - Wen Spencer 12/23
(MC goes to a picnic where everyone brings something), p85
Virginia was the first to adopt a Thanksgiving Day in 1855.
✔️🦃 4. Read a book set in Virginia.
Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews 12/20
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, however, attempted to extend the Christmas shopping season, which generally begins with the Thanksgiving holiday, and to boost the economy by moving the date back a week, to the third week in November.
✔️🦃 5. Read a book where Thanksgiving or Christmas shopping is mentioned. Tell us the page/loc#.
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor 12/8
(Siobhan and her siblings go Christmas shopping in ch6)
As the country became more urban and family members began to live farther apart, Thanksgiving became a time to gather together.
✔️🦃 9. Read a book where someone comes home for Thanksgiving.
My Heart Stood Still - Lynn Kurland 12/26
(heroine is a ghost but is saved by hero and returns to her family in time for Thanksgiving)
The holiday moved away from its religious roots to allow immigrants of every background to participate in a common tradition.
✔️🦃 10. Read a book where a tradition of any kind is celebrated.
Muddled Mutt - Willow Mason 12/13
(paranormal community has an annual Mermaid Parade)
Thanksgiving Day football games, beginning with Yale versus Princeton in 1876, enabled fans to add some rowdiness to the holiday.
✔️🦃 11. Read a book where a character watches football.
Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber (Palmer) 12/3
✔️🦃 12. Read a book with a college student.
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan (Suzette Cripps) 12/2
In the late 1800s parades of costumed revelers became common. In 1920 Gimbel’s department store in Philadelphia staged a parade of about 50 people with Santa Claus at the rear of the procession.
✔️🦃 13. Read a book where someone sees Santa Claus.
Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall (baby Adam sees Santa) 12/16
Since 1924 the annual Macy’s parade in New York City has continued the tradition, with huge balloons since 1927.
✔️🦃 15. Read a book with a parade in the story.
Gone with the Twins - Kylie Logan 11/5
(has a library sponsored parade)
✔️🦃 16. Read a book set in New York City.
Hidden Blade - Pippa DaCosta 4/18
The Snoopy Balloon has appeared more than any other balloon in the Macy's Annual Thanksgiving Parade.
✔️🦃 17. Read a book with a dog in the story.
Selective Spells - Willow Mason 12/9
The holiday associated with Pilgrims and Native Americans has come to symbolize intercultural peace, America’s opportunity for newcomers, and the sanctity of home and family.
✔️🦃 18. Read a book where a new person comes to town.
Wild Irish Soul - Tricia O'Malley (Baird) 11/23
Days of thanksgiving in Canada also originated in the colonial period, arising from the same European traditions, in gratitude for safe journeys, peace, and bountiful harvests.
✔️🦃 19. Read a book whose title begins with G, S, J, P or B.
The Gates of Evangeline - Hester Young 12/7
The earliest celebration was held in 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher held a ceremony in present-day Nunavut to give thanks for the safety of its fleet.
✔️🦃 20. Read a book where someone gives thanks for something important.
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
(MCs for their child's safe return from the future)
In 1879 Parliament established a national Thanksgiving Day on November 6; the date has varied over the years. Since 1957 Thanksgiving Day has been celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October.
✔️🦃 21. Read a book set in Canada.
A Chimera's Revenge - Eve Langlais (British Columbia) 11/1
✔️🦃 22. Read a book published in October.
A Curse of Queens - Amanda Bouchet (pub Oct 4, 2022) 11/9
The cornucopia (a horn-shaped basket overflowing with fruits and vegetables) is a typical emblem of Thanksgiving abundance that dates to ancient harvest festivals.
✔️🦃 23. Read a book where food is harvested - like on a farm/orchard.
Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross (MC harvests olives) 12/22
A full grown turkey has about 3500 feathers.
✔️🦃 25. Read a Series book with one of these numbers: 3500. Tell us the number and the series name.
The Disappeared - Kristina Ohlsson (Fredrika Bergman & Alex Recht, #3) 11/6
A baby turkey is called a poult.
✔️🦃 26. Read a book with the letters POULT in any order in the title.
The Sculptor - Gregory Funaro 11/5
Who gobbles in the turkey family? Only tom turkeys. Hen turkeys make a clicking noise.
✔️🦃 27. Read a book with a turkey on the cover.
Turkey Trot Murder - Leslie Meier 3/26
What is the turkey trot? A ragtime dance!
✔️🦃 28. Read a book where the title has 2 different words that both begin with T.
Too Hot To Touch - Louisa Edwards 11/27
Domestic turkeys can't fly — but they have been to outer space. Turkey was the first meal enjoyed by the Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
✔️🦃 30. Read a book set in space.
Zar - Alana Khan 4/12
✔️🦃 31. Read a book with a character who is known by a nickname.
Stolen Fury - Elisabeth Naughton 12/11
(heroine calls hero Slick)
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the heaviest turkey weighed 86 pounds.
✔️🦃 32. Read a book with a 6 or 8 in the number of ratings the book has received. Tell us the ratings#.
Archangel's Resurrection - Nalini Singh (2687 ratings) 11/3
Ever wonder about the origin of the green bean casserole? Campbell soups created the recipe for an annual cookbook over 50 years ago. Campbell’s sells over $20 million worth of cream of mushroom soup for Thanksgiving meals.
✔️🦃 33. Read a book with recipes in it (but not a cookbook).
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell 12/6
The night before Thanksgiving is the single biggest day for bar sales in the U.S.
✔️🦃 35. Read a book set in or around a bar.
Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield 11/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
The Planets Spell OutStart Date: November 28, 2022
End Date: April 1, 2023
READ: 52/52
1. MercuryM: Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
E: This Same Earth - Elizabeth Hunter 11/21
R: A Whisker of Trouble - Sofie Ryan 12/14
C: Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell 12/6
U: The Undead Mr. Tenpenny - Tammie Painter 11/19
R: Reindeer Runes - Danielle Garrett 12/18
Y: Glimmerglass - Marly Youmans 12/5
2. VenusV: The Vampire Always Rises - Katie MacAlister 11/28
E: Too Hot To Touch - Louisa Edwards 11/27
N: Nathaniel - John Saul 11/20
U: The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter 12/31
S: Son of Thunder - S.C. Mitchell 12/21
3. EarthE: The Sunken City - Emma V.R. Noyes 12/27
A: Bronze Gods - A.A. Aguirre 11/24
R: Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
T: Wild Irish Soul - Tricia O'Malley 11/23
H: The Gates of Evangeline - Hester Young 12/7
4. MarsM: Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber 12/3
A: The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
R: Raphael - D.B. Reynolds 1/16
S: Selective Spells - Willow Mason 12/9
5. JupiterJ: Killer, Paper, Cut - Joanna Campbell Slan 11/22
U: The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
P: A Witch Too Late - Paula Lester & M.E. Harmon 11/27
I: Iron Ember - Donna Grant 11/26
T: By Their Cold Fingers - Timothy Brian 12/1
E: Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim 12/30
R: Fatal Catch - Pauline Rowson 1/6
6. SaturnS: Sign Here - Claudia Lux 12/12
A: Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews 12/20
T: Buried in a Good Book - Tamara Berry 12/6
U: The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
R: A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
N: Blood of an Exile - Brian Naslund 11/20
7. UranusU: Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
R: Lavender House - Lev A.C. Rosen 1/21
A: Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker 12/21
N: Bait - Annie Nicholas 11/29
U: Darkness, My Old Friend - Lisa Unger 2/6
S: A Holly Jolly Diwali - Sonya Lalli 12/17
8. NeptuneN: Stolen Fury - Elisabeth Naughton 12/11
E: The Crow Girl - Erik Axl Sund 12/30
P: The Path of Thorns - A.G. Slatter 11/30
T: Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall 12/16
U: Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker 2/12
N: Nightingale's Gate - Linda Francis Lee 12/24
E: The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
9. PlutoP: Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes - Michelle M.Pillow 12/9
L: The Forgotten House on the Moor - Jane Lovering 11/26
U: Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
T: Wild Irish Rebel - Tricia O'Malley 12/10
O: Once Upon a River - Diane Setterfield 11/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
White ChristmasDuration: December 1, 2022 - May 31, 2023
Level: Level 2: 11 or more Tasks
READ: 30/30
1. White Christmas is a 1954 American musical film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. Filmed in Technicolor, it features the songs of Irving Berlin.✔ ❄️ Read a book with a white cover.
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
✔ ❄️ Read a book about music or a musician.
Blaze - Lisa Carlisle (MC is a rock star) 1/13
✔ ❄️Read a book with a character called Danny, Bing, Rosemary or Vera.
Owl Be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews (Vera Craine) 12/20
2. White Christmas starts on Christmas Eve in Europe in 1944, at the height of World War II, former Broadway star Captain Bob Wallace and aspiring performer Private Phil Davis entertain the 151st division with a soldier's show. The men have just received word their beloved Major General Thomas F. Waverly has been relieved of his command. After Waverly departs, enemy bombers attack the area and everyone takes cover. Phil pulls Bob away from a collapsing wall and is wounded by debris. Bob asks how he can pay back Phil for saving his life, and Phil suggests they become a duo act. Bob is not fond of the idea, but feels obliged to agree.✔ ❄️ Read a book set in Europe.
Opening Gambit - Tilly Wallace (England) 12/28
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character saves another person's life.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh (MC saves Shim) 12/3
✔ ❄️ Read a book about a war.
Son of Thunder - S.C. Mitchell 12/21
3. After the war, the two make it big, first as performers, then as producers, launching a hit musical, Playing Around. They receive a letter supposedly from their old Mess Sergeant, Ben "Freckle Face" Haynes, asking them to view his sisters' act. They watch Betty and Judy sing at Novello's, a Florida nightclub. Phil, who likes to play matchmaker, notices Bob is interested in Betty. After the performance, the four meet, and Phil and Judy immediately hit it off. Betty and Bob, however, argue about Bob's cynicism, and the fact it was actually Judy who wrote the letter instead of Ben.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character writes or receives a letter.
Circus of the Dead, Book One - Kimberly Loth (MC writes her sister) 12/10
✔ ❄️ Read a book with a character who is cynical.
The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
(Cassie had even me, a dyed-in-the-wool cynic, hopeful)
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character plays matchmaker.
My Heart Stood Still - Lynn Kurland (Ambrose) 12/26
4. Bing Crosby as Bob Wallace and Danny Kaye as Phil Davisfind out from Judy that the girls' landlord is falsely suing them for a damaged rug, and has even gone so far as to call the police to get his money.
✔ ❄️ Read a book with a rug on the cover.
The Book Supremacy - Kate Carlisle 3/11
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character is falsely accused of something.
Christmas Chocolates and Crimes - Cindy Bell (Charlotte) 12/6
✔ ❄️ Read a book where the police are called in.
Gingerbread - Kate Morris 12/4
5. Phil gives them tickets he and Bob had purchased to spend Christmas in New York City. Bob and Phil improvise a performance to buy the girls time, then flee to the train, where they now have to sit up in the Club Car, much to Bob's chagrin.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character buys tickets to something.
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan (MC for a haunted house) 12/2
✔ ❄️ Read a book set in New York City.
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera 4/12
✔ ❄️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in CLUB CAR.
Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker 12/21
6. The girls convince Phil and Bob to forgo New York and spend Christmas with them in Pine Tree, Vermont, where they are booked as performers. Upon arriving in Vermont, they find all the tourists have left due to no snow and unseasonably warm weather.✔ ❄️ Read a book that you consider hot.
Wild Irish Rebel - Tricia O'Malley 12/10
✔ ❄️ Read a book set in Vermont.
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
✔ ❄️ Read a book that the author's last name starts with a letter in PINE TREE.
Stolen Fury - Elisabeth Naughton 12/11
7. They arrive at the empty Columbia Inn and are aghast to discover that General Waverly is the landlord of the hotel and has sunk his life savings into it, and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Phil and Bob decide to invite some of the cast of Playing Around to Pine Tree to stage a show to draw in the guests, and include Betty and Judy in the show. Betty and Bob's romance starts to bloom.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a new romance starts.
Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber 12/3
✔ ❄️ Read a book where someone is poor or worried about money.
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti (Davie) 1/5
✔ ❄️Read a book with a character who is a landlord.
Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald (Ivan) 1/7
8. Later, Bob discovers Waverly received a humiliating rejection letter to his request to rejoin the army. Bob determines to prove to the General he is not forgotten, and calls up Ed Harrison, another old Army buddy who now has his own variety show, for help. Ed suggests they put the general on the show and make a big scene of his misfortune and Bob's kindness, which would be free advertising for Bob and Phil. Bob strongly rejects the idea. Unfortunately, the housekeeper Emma eavesdrops on the other phone for the first half of the conversation. She relays Ed's idea to Betty, who becomes suddenly cold towards a baffled Bob.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a romance goes cold.
Sign Here - Claudia Lux (wife has affair) 12/12
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character profits from another persons misfortune.
Selective Spells - Willow Mason (Harriet) 12/9
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character eavesdrops.
Murder at an Irish Christmas - Carlene O'Connor (MC) 12/8
9. Phil and Judy stage a phony engagement, thinking Betty is trying to avoid romance because she does not want to leave Judy unprotected. However, this backfires when Betty accepts a gig in New York and leaves. Phil and Judy admit the truth to Bob, who becomes enraged and hurries to New York to tell Betty. Bob meets up with Harrison before he has a chance to find out what really was bothering her. Betty sees Bob go on Harrison's show and invite the entire 151st division to secretly join him at Pine Tree to surprise General Waverly, at Bob and Phil's expense. Realizing she was mistaken, Betty returns to Vermont just in time to be in the show.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character realizes they are wrong.
Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan (Xingyin) 12/18
✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character gets a free trip.
The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter (MC to London) 12/31
✔ ❄️ Read a book where the numbers 1 and 5 are in the page count.
Muddled Mutt - Willow Mason (155 pages) 12/13
10. Once again on Christmas Eve, the soldiers surprise General Waverly with another rousing chorus of "The Old Man" when he arrives at the show, bringing him to tears. During the performance, Betty and Bob become engaged, and Judy and Phil decide to go through with their own engagement. As everyone sings "White Christmas", a thick snowfall at last blankets Vermont.✔ ❄️ Read a book where a character gets engaged.
Cross Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/20
✔ ❄️ Read a book with snow on the cover.
Midnight in Everwood - Maria Kuzniar 12/17
✔ ❄️ Read a book where the author's initials can be found in OLD MAN.
Their Christmas Miracle - Lynne Marshall 12/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Read the Months: February, March and AprilDuration: February 1 - April 30, 2023
Level: April 11 or more tasks
READ: 24/11+
1. If you are born before February 19, you'll be an Aquarius, a sign associated with intelligence, independence, and quirkiness. If you are born at the end of the month (February 19th or later), you will fall under Pisces, a sign known for being kind, compassionate, and easygoing.
✔️🏺 Read a book with 1 and 9 in the page count.
Nine Lives Last Forever - Rebecca M. Hale (291 pages) 3/15
✔️🏺 Read a book with a character who is independent.
Still Alive - Ava Strong (Lily) 3/12
✔️🏺 Read a book where the author's initials can be found in INTELLIGENCE.
Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
2. February people, especially those born under the Aquarius sign are enthusiastic, creative and optimistic. Air is their elemental sign. They can also be stubborn.
✔️🏺 Read an author who you are enthusiastic about.
Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker 2/12
✔️🏺 Read a book where a character is creative.
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery (hero writes lyrics) 2/19
✔️🏺Read a book where the letters AIR can be found in the title in any order.
A Dark Queen Rises - Ashok K. Banker 3/3
3. Some famous authors were born in February. James Joyce (February 2), Gertrude Stein (February 3), Charles Dickens (February 7), Jules Verne (February 8), Alice Walker (February 9), Toni Morrison (February 18), Sally Rooney (February 20) and Victor Hugo (February 26).
✔️🏺 Read a book with a character who has one of the names above.
If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang (Alice Sun) 2/1
✔️🏺 Read a book published in February of any year.
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor (pub Feb 27, 2018) 2/28
4. Affection and charisma are the qualities most often associated with people born in the month of March. They are very compassionate and love to serve others, if given their due respect. Honesty and reliability are among the various virtues possessed by March babies.
✔️🐟 Read a book with a character who is compassionate.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon 2/26
✔️🐟 Read a book with a character who serves another.
Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker (royalty with servants) 2/12
✔️🐟 Read a book with a character who every one respects.
Reckoning - Catherine Coulter (Dillon Savage) 2/3
5. People born in March are born under the zodiac sign Pisces, Pisceans can be described as romantic, sensitive, emotional, honest and sympathetic. Generally, they are selfless and very generous. Artistic by nature, Pisceans are attracted to beautiful things. They are imaginative and intuitive, Considered to be the most romantic zodiac sign, Pisceans are great lovers. They are the ‘givers’, in their relationship and do everything that would fascinate their partners. They remain secondary in their relationships and do not mind their spouse/partners’ dominance.
✔️🐟 Read a book with a character who is described as a great lover.
If Looks Could Chill - Nina Bruhns 4/22
(he seduced her with his amazing body and skills as a lover), p117
✔️🐟 Read a book about art or an artist.
Shattered at Sea - Cheryl Hollon (MC is an glassblower) 2/4
✔️🐟 Read a book tagged Romance.
Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery 2/10
6 Famous authors born in March are Dr. Seuss, Tom Wolfe, John Irving, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Mickey Spillane, , Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, John Updike, Philip Roth ,Henrik Ibsen Randolph Caldecott, Louis L’Amour, Robert Frost and Anna Sewell.
✔️🐟 Read a book with a character who has one of the names above.
River of Darkness - Rennie Airth (John Madden) 2/20
✔️🐟 Read a book published in March of any year.
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers (pub Mar 23, 2021) 2/15
7. Passionate and caring, those born in April make for loyal and generous friends. But be forewarned: April babies can be chatterboxes who love attention and can sometimes want to hog the spotlight.
✔️🐂 Read a book about a group of friends.
Silver Spells - Kate Moseman 2/8
✔️🐂 Read a book with a talkative character.
The Watermight Thief - Jordan Rivet (Kay) 2/27
✔️🐂 Read a book with a character who always needs attention.
Spooky Business - Addison Creek (Lizzie) 3/28
8. People born in April love adventure and thrill and are also energetic and they like to be active. April babies are also independent and passionate about their work.
✔️🐂 Read a book tagged Adventure.
Saber Tooth - Lou Cadle 3/4
✔️🐂 Read a book where a character wants to be more active.
Partners in Lime - Bree Baker (heroine) 3/23
✔️🐂 Read a book where a character loves their job.
A Sudden Crush - Camilla Isley (heroine) 3/23
9. Famous authors born in April are Hans Christian Anderson, Maya Angelou, Beverly Cleary, Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, William Shakespeare, Terry Pratchett and Harper Lee.
✔️🐂 Read a book with a character who has one of the names above.
The Lost and Found Bookshop - Susan Wiggs (Natalie Harper) 3/3
✔️🐂 Read a book published in April of any year.
The Last Beekeeper - Rebecca L. Fearnley (pub April 20, 2022) 2/17
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
Angels Rising (other topics)A Curious Beginning (other topics)
Earth Bound (other topics)
Killed at the Whim of a Hat (other topics)
Resonance Surge (other topics)
More...
Monthly Challenges
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Miscellaneous Challenges
10 Weirdest US Taxes
African Countries Spell Out
Animal Nation
The Best Sophomore Albums of All Time
Beware of the Bear
Blue Curacao Cocktails Spell Out
Bond .... James Bond
Broadway Lights
Calling All Witches
Celebrate the Century 1990
Chips Anyone?
Christmas Words
Classic Ice Cream Truck Treats
Colored Cities #2
Come Sail Away
Don't Miss Your Plane
Fly Away Little Bird
Forgotten 90s Cartoons
Fun Things To Do At The Beach
Grieving The Greats
Halloween Party Menu Spell Out
The Hanukkah Song
Hoarfrost Spell Out
I Wanna Be a Rock Star - Christmas Album Edition
Is There A Doctor In The House?
Legend of Santa Claus
Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)
Most Beautiful Small Towns
Most Unpopular Baby Names
Musician: Aaliyah
Musician: Death Cab for Cutie
Musician George Michael
Musician: Run DMC
Musician: Zac Brown Band
Mystical Creatures
New Years Celebrations
Onscreen Cocktails
Paul Walker Movies
Pies Please
The Planets Spell Out
Pomegranate, Anyone?
Read the Months: February, March and April
Read the Months: November, December and January
Romantic Intrigue
Scarecrow Spell Out
Seven Summits Spell Out
Spring Fling
Supernatural
Tea Anyone?
Thanksgiving Trivia
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1933
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1964
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1988
A Trip Down Memory Lane 1949
TV Episodes Spell-Out - Game of Thrones
TV/Movie Challenge - Outlander Season 1
Vintage Recipes
White Christmas
Women On Quarters
Won't You Come A Golfing With Me
Words in a Word Game #21 - Pom Drinks
Words in a Word Game #22 - In Theaters 1964
Words in a Word Game #23 - Fifteen Letter "D" Words
Words in a Word Game #24 - Crayola Colors
Year Of The Rabbit